CONTENT WARNING - The following episode discusses mature themes, including murder, suicide, illicit drug use, child sex abuse and domestic violence. Listener discretion is advised. In the second installment of America's War on Drugs, drug czar Harry Anslinger continues his reign from the 1930s through the early 1960s. During his 32 years as commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, he campaigned against not only about cannabis, but also against narcotics and opiates. Jaye discusses Anslin...
Oct 10, 2019•46 min•Season 3Ep. 63
CONTENT WARNING - This episode discusses mature themes, including illicit drug use and graphic details of murder. Listener discretion is advised. The War on Drugs in the United States has cost $1 trillion since 1971, and 20 percent of the prison population is incarcerated for drug offenses. Yet there is little evidence it is responsible for declining drug use. How did the War on Drugs truly begin? Jaye explores US history and explains how Prohibition led to our nation's drug war. Featured Podcas...
Sep 25, 2019•40 min•Season 3Ep. 62
CONTENT WARNING - This episode includes discussion of gun violence. Listener discretion is advised. With the rash of mass shootings in the United States, including ones such as the El Paso, TX shooting linked to domestic terror, what is leading to these mass shooting incidents, and domestic terrorism generally? Jaye discusses a possible culprit, stochastic terrorism. What is stochastic terrorism, and can the violent rhetoric of politicians lead to radicalization and extremist violence? Jaye also...
Sep 13, 2019•36 min•Season 3Ep. 61
In the final installment of a two-part series about urban renewal, Jaye discusses contemporary urban renewal, particularly the impact of privatization on urban renewal efforts in America's impoverished inner city neighborhoods. Why have these neighborhoods persisted? Also, what efforts have federal, state and local governments, as well as corporations, made in revitalizing - or gentrifying - these neighborhoods, and have these efforts succeeded? Jaye discusses these approaches, and both the bene...
Aug 29, 2019•40 min•Season 3Ep. 60
In the wake of the recent mass shootings in El Paso, TX, Dayton, OH, and Gilroy, CA, Jaye discusses gun violence, including many of the root issues that contribute to the gun violence epidemic in the United States, and the importance of properly addressing these issues. She takes on white supremacy, misogyny, other right-wing extremist ideologies, and Donald Trump's failure to unqualifiably condemn white supremacy. Is gun control the answer to the scourge of mass shootings? Content Warning: This...
Aug 13, 2019•49 min•Season 3Ep. 59
In part 1 of a two-part series about urban renewal, Jaye talks about the history of America's urban slums. How did these poor, run-down neighborhoods develop in US cities, and how did these areas become associated with people of color, particularly black Americans? The history of Cincinnati's West End is discussed as an illustration of how segregated, impoverished neighborhoods developed over time, and how residents became vulnerable to the negative effects of urban renewal policies. Learn more ...
Aug 01, 2019•43 min•Season 3Ep. 58
This Patreon bonus episode, originally released March 2019, is being released free this month as part of Flying Machine's Flyer Drive! To learn more and become a Patron, go to http://flyingmachine.network/support . Enjoy the episode! Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" is famous for several iconic statements, including the admonishment of "white moderates." But did you know that the "white moderates" Dr. King was referring to were specific local clergymen in Birmin...
Jul 23, 2019•42 min
As the myriad of Democratic presidential candidates with tons of ideas are hitting the debate circuit, Elle Riccardi from the podcast Short, Colorful + Loud joins Jaye to discuss political spectrums. What are the building blocks of political spectrums? Where did "left" and "right" come from? Are communism and fascism all that close to each other? Elle and Jaye discuss various kinds of political spectrums, including left-right, horseshoe theory, the political compass (including how they tested on...
Jul 16, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 57
In the aftermath of the US Supreme Court ruling effectively declaring political gerrymandering legal, Jaye discusses the challenges Democrats face in mitigating the damage of an increasingly right-leaning SCOTUS. In this episode, Jaye focuses on the novel Supreme Court plan touted by Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, which is intended to neutralize the ideological and partisan slant of the court. What are the pros and cons of the plan? Jaye makes the case that the challenges this...
Jul 02, 2019•38 min•Season 3Ep. 56
Jaye is joined by her husband Chuckles as they discuss free speech versus calls to violence and terrorism, as well as if Donald Trump's rhetoric and actions in support of gun control will upset his supporters enough to turn against him in 2020. Chuckles stans Candace Owens and sees her temporary ban on Twitter as an example of a conspiracy by the social media giant against conservative voices. Jaye points out that white supremacists run rampant on Twitter despite the ability to filter them out j...
Jun 18, 2019•42 min•Season 3Ep. 55
CONTENT WARNING: Miscarriage, stillbirth, medical procedures, death, child molestation, sexual and physical violence With the proliferation of abortion bans passed into law in several states designed to trigger a US Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade (1973), what are the real dangers of these laws? Jaye reconsiders her earlier position on fetal personhood and outlines her view regarding the tension between the rights of the woman versus the rights of the fetus. She delves into infant and mate...
Jun 04, 2019•48 min•Season 3Ep. 54
As several states are passing extremely restrictive anti-abortion laws, and civil rights are increasingly being denied to a number of groups in the United States, Jaye discusses the conservative evangelical Christianity that got us here. Is conservative evangelicalism "real Christianity" and why does the answer to that question matter? How does evangelicalism lead its adherents to support authoritarian, regressive, and cruel politicians and public policies? Jaye shares her personal experience in...
May 19, 2019•46 min•Season 3Ep. 53
Several Democratic candidates are running to be the party's nominee for President of the United States. Jaye believes it matters less which candidate becomes the Democratic nominee, but more what direction the Democratic Party will go in the 2020 election. Will they focus on recruiting Trump supporters, or convincing non-voters to go to the polls? Jaye argues that focusing on Trump supporters will guarantee a loss for the Democrats, and the best way forward in 2020 and beyond is to excite non-vo...
May 06, 2019•42 min•Season 3Ep. 52
CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussion of transphobia, anti-LGBTQ bigotry and violence, depression and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. The relationship between the American church and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people has all too often been rocky, and conflict is inflamed by opposition by churches and Christian political institutions to equal rights for LGBTQ Americans. Opposition to equal rights for LGBTQ Americans is based on the belief among man...
Apr 23, 2019•44 min•Season 3Ep. 51
In the 50th episode of Potstirrer Podcast, Jaye reacts to the Mueller report - or really, the Barr Letter summarizing the report filed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Are the conclusions Attorney General William Barr came to regarding the report accurate? What do we know about Barr, and should he be trusted? Jaye makes the argument that any finding from the Mueller report likely won't matter in terms of repercussions for Donald Trump, but nevertheless, it is vital that the report be released ...
Apr 08, 2019•41 min•Season 3Ep. 50
CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, child molestation, and domestic violence. Listener discretion is advised. R. Kelly has been an R&B superstar for two decades, with hit songs such as "I Believe I Can Fly" and "I Wish," and winning several music awards, including three Grammys. But while Kelly has enjoyed mainstream success, throughout his career, he has been plagued by allegations of sexual involvement with underage girls and inappropriate, abusive relation...
Mar 24, 2019•54 min•Season 3Ep. 49
CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussion of homophobia, anti-LGBTQ bigotry, sexual assault and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. The relationship between the American church and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people has all too often been rocky, and conflict is inflamed by opposition by churches and Christian political institutions to equal rights for LGBTQ Americans. Opposition to equal rights for LGBTQ Americans is based on the belief among many Christia...
Mar 10, 2019•50 min•Season 3Ep. 48
When most Americans think of late civil rights icon Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we often picture a unifying Christian minister who used non-violence to advance his dream of racial equality in the United States. But in death, has Dr. King been whitewashed? In the final installment of this two-part series, Jaye provides an overview of Dr. King's transformation - from "outside agitator" to "colorblind civil rights icon." She examines the making of a hero in the American consciousness, and how...
Feb 24, 2019•42 min•Season 3Ep. 47
When most Americans think of late civil rights icon Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we often picture a unifying Christian minister who used non-violence to advance his dream of racial equality in the United States. King would have been 90 years old this year, had he not been assassinated. We observe his birthday every January, and often hear his name invoked, as well as that of other civil rights leaders, in February during Black History Month. But in death, has Dr. King been whitewashed? In t...
Feb 10, 2019•32 min•Season 3Ep. 46
In response to Vice-President Mike Pence stating Christian education should be off-limits to criticism, defending his wife Karen's decision to teach at a Christian school that excludes the LGBTQ community, hashtag #ExposeChristianSchools, started by scholar and exvangelical Chris Stroop @c_stroop, went viral, particularly on Twitter. Jaye discusses the need for extremist ideology and abusive behavior in evangelical Christian schools to be exposed, and the importance of providing space for those ...
Jan 27, 2019•34 min•Season 3Ep. 45
It's a new year, and Jaye ushers in 2019 with thoughts on the government shutdown, advice for the Democratic Party regarding the 2020 presidential election, and a read on Vice President Mike Pence. What makes Pence worse than Trump, and why would a Pence presidency be worse for the United States than Trump remaining in office? Twitter: @potstirrercast IG: @potstirrerpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/potstirrerpodcast/ Website: PotstirrerPodcast.com Flying Machine: http://flyingmachine.n...
Jan 13, 2019•36 min•Season 3Ep. 44
For this year’s “War on Christmas” holiday special – Jaye is joined by her husband Chuckles as they react to strange stories and answer listener questions. Jaye waxes poetic about KFC on an open fire while Chuckles reveals something that even Jaye didn’t know about him. Citations: “Col. Harland Sanders 11 Herbs and Spices Firelog.” KFC. https://www.kfc.com/fire-log “German Chocolate Factory Spill Makes for Sweet Street.” Reuters. December 12, 2018. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/german-choco...
Dec 16, 2018•38 min•Season 2Ep. 43
In November of 2018, 26 year old American explorer and missionary John Allen Chau was killed by the Sentinelese people, an isolated tribal group living on North Sentinel Island off the coast of India. Chau went the island illegally in order to share with them about Christianity. The incident is controversial, sparking outrage, consternation, and even admiration. Were Chau's actions worth the cost of his life? And could his actions cost the Sentinelese people their lives as well? Jaye discusses t...
Dec 02, 2018•31 min•Season 2Ep. 42
In light of the growing normalization of white supremacy and related forms of bigotry in the United States, Jaye focuses on the debate between unfettered free speech and the regulation of hate speech. What does "free speech" truly mean in the US context, and why does it matter? Should "dangerous" speech be made illegal? Jaye also discusses libertarian ideology - specifically how, despite its emphasis on individual rights, it may fall short in the realm of free speech. In a corporatocracy, should...
Nov 21, 2018•34 min•Season 2Ep. 41
The 2018 midterm elections are here! In this episode, Jaye talks midterm predictions, the Voting Rights Act, millennials and Gen Z, and voter suppression. Jaye also discusses a major think tank responsible for the current Republican agenda, and which supplies the manpower behind GOP presidents from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump. Why does this organization have a vested interest in subverting democracy? Can the American people overcome the anti-democratic measures of right-wing politicians and sa...
Nov 04, 2018•31 min•Season 2Ep. 40
What if the religious extremism Americans should be most concerned about comes from Christianity? In this episode, Jaye explores the authoritarian, extremist elements of American evangelicalism and the overwhelming support of Donald Trump by white evangelical Christians. Jaye also discusses the Quiverfull movement, the increasing emphasis on authoritarianism and control within evangelical Christian colleges, dominionism, racial reconciliation, evangelical support for Donald Trump's inhumane poli...
Oct 21, 2018•34 min•Season 2Ep. 39
Episode 38 - Voting Still Matters...For Now With the voter registration deadline upon us in many states, Jaye discusses the long-term impact of the vote, and why getting registered to vote and exercising the franchise is important in saving our democracy. She explains how voting in conservatives to federal and state offices over time has led to increased money in politics and reduced political impact from individual voters, especially poor Americans and ethnic minorities. Despite this, Jaye argu...
Oct 07, 2018•34 min•Season 2Ep. 38
Political science researchers Benjamin Knoll and Cammie Jo Bolin join Jaye in this episode to share with listeners their knowledge and research on women clergy, and talk about their new book, She Preached the Word . The researchers discuss some of the book's themes, including the barriers to ordination of women, the acceptance of women clergy in congregations, and the effects they have on their congregations. They also discuss their research methodology, including the new, original data collecte...
Sep 23, 2018•35 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Episode 36 - Power and Purity Several scandals involving sexual harassment and sexual abuse have been uncovered recently in a number of churches across the Christian landscape. Why is abuse within the church such a huge story, why does it occur, and what can churches do better to reduce abuse occurrences and respond to these incidents? Jaye discusses a few of these recent scandals - delving into authoritarianism, sexual repression, and purity culture, and how these mechanisms can enable perpetra...
Sep 09, 2018•34 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Many of us think of demagogues as charismatic leaders who hold an extreme degree of power over their supporters. But why do people fall for demagogues? In this episode, Jaye takes a deep dive into the subject of demagoguery - exploring how we understand and debate political and social issues. What does a country run by demagoguery mean for democracy? Twitter: @potstirrercast IG: @potstirrerpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/potstirrerpodcast/ Website: PotstirrerPodcast.com Flying Machine...
Aug 26, 2018•32 min•Season 2Ep. 35
