This week, Greg Olear shares 34 thoughts on 34 felony counts. Then, there is a reprise of the May 31 episode of “The Five 8,” in which Greg and LB try, and fail, to remember all of Donald’s crimes. Plus: blowing! Subscribe to The Five 8: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhA Make America Great Gatsby Again! https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-four-sticks-press-centennial-edition/e701221776c88f86?ean=9798985931976&next=t Subscribe to The Five 8: https://www.youtub...
Jun 07, 2024•1 hr 47 min
Jason Pack is the Founder of Libya-Analysis LLC , and the co-host of Disorder , a geopolitics podcast co-produced with Goalhanger Podcasts. He is a Senior Analyst for Emerging Challenges at the NATO Defence College Foundation in Rome. In partnership with NDCF, Jason leads a project entitled NATO and the Global Enduring Disorder , which produces a range of content (including the Disorder podcast and series of publications) attempting to sketch out a ‘unified field theory’ of our current era of ge...
May 31, 2024•1 hr 33 min
In this special “Rough Beast” book launch episode, the PREVAIL podcast is turned upside-down: Greg Olear is the guest, and the host is his wife, Stephanie St. John Olear. They talk about the new book, confirmation bias, and Biden’s chances of winning in November. Plus: Scar-Jo! Make America Great Gatsby Again! https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-four-sticks-press-centennial-edition/e701221776c88f86?ean=9798985931976&next=t Subscribe to The Five 8: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC...
May 24, 2024•45 min
Alessandra is an Italian journalist and political commentator who goes by the pen name Alias Vaughn. She’s been helping me understand the global political landscape—including what’s happening right here in the US—for going on eight years now. In this conversation, Greg Olear interviews Alessandra about her background and her interest in US politics. They discuss JFK’s policy towards South America, with Alessandra sharing her research on the topic; the current political situation in Italy, includ...
May 17, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Jenny Cohn is an attorney, election integrity advocate, and political writer whose articles have appeared in the New York Review of Books, Who What Why, The Independent, Salon, and the Bucks County Beacon. She now covers the Christian right at her Substack, the Christian Right Observer Weekly, or CROW. Cohn talks to Greg Olear about her work on election integrity and the Christian right; her new project, the Christian Right Observer Weekly, and the collaboration with researcher Kira Resistance; ...
May 10, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Before launching START ME UP, the political interview podcast, Kimberley Johnson—that’s Kimberley with an “e-y”—wrote several books, including “The Virgin Diaries”; maintained a popular blog; and, for ten years, had a recurring role—as a cop!—on a soap opera. She’s an activist and a champion of women’s rights. Her podcast premiered in 2016. In this discussion, Greg Olear and Kimberley Johnson discuss her background as an actress and her transition to podcasting; the TikTok ban, the Supreme Court...
May 03, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Ethan Bearman is a multifaceted talent spanning law, technology, politics, and media. He has his own law firm, he has 25 years of business experience and 10 years of media experience. He had his own radio show, and he’s been on networks like CNN, DW, France24, HLN, i24 News, NewsNation, Fox Business, and Fox News, where he’s sparred with the likes of Jenna Ellis. Ethan is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and is admitted to practice in California and the United States District ...
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 30 min
Gal Suburban is an open source researcher who has spent the last six years deep-diving on fifth generation warfare, psyops, corrupt creatures of the Florida swamp, and traitors to our democracy. In this conversation, Greg Olear and Gal Suburban discuss various topics including Gal's focus on understanding anti-democratic influencers, the concept of fifth-generation warfare, and the potential dangers of a second Trump term. They also speculate on potential picks for Trump's vice president and dis...
Apr 19, 2024•1 hr 30 min
Robbie Harris is a strategic communications and behavior change subject matter expert with over 25 years’ experience working with local influencers, activists, civil society organizations, journalists, and senior stakeholders in Iraq, Syria, Africa, and Central America. She has designed and implemented successful programs for US DoD, DoS and USAID, and UK FCDO and MoD. She’s the co-founder of a small international business; has worked for USAID-OTI; speaks Arabic, Spanish, and English, and has a...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr 14 min
In this discussion with Greg Olear, the historian Manisha Sinha discusses her book “The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920.” The book explores the period between the Civil War and World War I, highlighting the importance of Reconstruction in shaping the country. Sinha explains her motivation for writing the book and the significance of the Second American Republic. She also draws parallels between Andrew Johnson and Donald Trump, emphasizing the consequences...
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr 32 min
Lisa Graves is the founder and Executive Director of True North Research, a national investigative watchdog group that exposes the shadowy machinations of dark money funders like Leonard Leo, Barre Seid, Harlan Crow, Charles Koch, Dick Uihlein, and Rob Arkley, and their front groups. She served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Policy Development/Legal Policy at the U.S. Department of Justice under Attorneys General Janet Reno and John Ashcroft, Chief Counsel for Nominations ...
Mar 22, 2024•1 hr 37 min
For 26 years, Rone Tempest was the national and foreign correspondent for the LA Times, based in Paris, New Delhi, Beijing, and Hong Kong, as well as the craziest capital city, Sacramento. After his retirement, he worked for Pro Publica and was the co-founder of the Wyoming nonprofit public policy news site, Wyofile. He’s taught journalism at Berkeley, his alma mater, and has won numerous awards. He’s also the author of two books, including “The Last Western: The Unjustified Killing of Michael R...
Mar 15, 2024•1 hr 28 min
For more than 30 years, Alexandra Hall Hall worked as a diplomat in the British Foreign Office, with postings in Bangkok, Delhi, Bogota,Tbilisi, and Washington. She resigned in December 2019 because she felt unable to represent the Government’s position on Brexit with integrity. She is the co-host, with Jason Pack, of Disorder podcast. In this discussion, she talks to Greg Olear about Georgia, British politics, the monarchy, the role of diplomacy in crisis zones, Biden’s handling of the Israel-H...
Mar 08, 2024•1 hr 29 min
Greg Olear welcomes Dahlia Lithwick, senior editor at SLATE and the author of the bestseller “Lady Justice: Women, The Law, and the Battle to Save Democracy.” They discuss the current state of the Supreme Court and the impact of recent decisions; the dynamics of the court, the influence of confirmation hearings, and the changing ideologies of the justices; the need for structural court reform and the public appetite for court expansion; and the role of dark money groups in pushing cases to the c...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr 30 min
In this conversation with Greg Olear, Michael Graetz discusses his book “The Power to Destroy: How the Anti-Tax Movement Hijacked America”' He explores the history and influence of the anti-tax movement, the role of race and xenophobia in shaping it, and the ideological and moral arguments behind it. Graetz also delves into the consequences of irresponsible tax cuts, the significance of taxation in American history, and the challenges of dealing with a GOP that obstructs. He highlights the need ...
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr 17 min
Tom Carter worked in Washington for years, in journalism and then in PR. For three years, he handled media relations at USCIRF, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, where his boss was one Leonard Leo, a key figure in the conservative legal movement and the capture of SCOTUS. The conversation explores the background, influence, and agenda of Leonard Leo; his management style, his use of dark money, his involvement with the Federalist Society and other organizations; his connect...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 35 min
Greg Olear welcomes his friend, the novelist, essayist and travel writer Diana Spechler. They discuss the novel as an art form, writing as a profession and vocation, the allure of travel, how the U.S. is perceived abroad, the future of the country, separating art from the artist, the Stendhal effect, and more. Plus: his name is Leo. Prevail is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/greg Follow Diana: https://twitter.com/DianaSpechler Subscribe to “Dispatches from...
Jan 19, 2024•1 hr 27 min
Aja Raden, author of “Stoned” and “The Truth About the Lies,” returns to PREVAIL. She updates Greg Olear about the changes coming to the diamond industry (which she foretold in the documentary “Nothing Lasts Forever”), and discusses her concerns for 2024, Elon Musk’s destruction of Twitter, contingency plans in case of Nazi takeover, lies people believe and why they believe them, the Epstein files, and her favorite Christmas movie. Plus: a new legal services firm. Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsle...
Jan 12, 2024•1 hr 22 min
We know that Donald Trump is a fascist, but what would MAGA fascism look like in a second Trump term? Brynn Tannehill, senior defense analyst and author of “American Fascism” and “My Child Told Me They're Trans...What Do I Do?,” lays out the horrors to expect if Trump is sworn in in 2025. Plus: the Trump Days of Christmas. Follow Brynn: https://twitter.com/BrynnTannehill Her website: http://www.brynntannehill.com/ Buy her books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brynn-Tannehill/author/B07MG4MCX4?ref...
Dec 29, 2023•1 hr 22 min
Greg Olear is joined by the journalist and editor Rachel Slade, author of the new book “Making It in America: The Almost Impossible Quest to Manufacture in the U.S.A. (and How It Got That Way).” They discuss the history of textile manufacturing in the United States, how the towns NAFTA devastated were hidden, the perils of free trade, the Gen X mindset, Prohibition trivia, all things labor movement, how and when organized crime infiltrated unions, the multiplier effect, New Americans, and what t...
Dec 22, 2023•1 hr 34 min
Greg Olear is joined by the writer, author, professor, filmmaker, and “America, America” columnist Steven Beschloss. They discuss the failure of the media to adequately cover Trump, then and now; the stakes of the next election; Lee Harvey Oswald, childhood trauma, and the making of an assassin; the importance of investing in education and why the GOP opposes it; Biden’s place in history; and the Ritz-Carlton Moscow. Plus: a new dating app. Follow Steven: https://twitter.com/StevenBeschloss http...
Dec 15, 2023•1 hr 10 min
Greg Olear is joined by Will Bunch, the national opinion columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer. They discuss how the higher education system broke our politics, why the media fails to accurately report on the rise of American fascism, Trump’s ominous re-election plans, the far right’s dream of a Red Caesar, and whether the Eagles are a team of destiny. Plus: a new staffing agency. Follow Will: https://twitter.com/Will_Bunch Read his columns: https://www.inquirer.com/author/bunch_will/ Subscrib...
Dec 08, 2023•1 hr 17 min
We all remember the keywords of the scandal known as Iran-Contra: Oliver North, Fawn Hall, potted plant, Nicaragua, Sandinista, “I don’t recall.” The Reagan Administration was covering SOMETHING up, but what were they up to, exactly? Jack Bryan, creator of the riveting new podcast “Lawyers, Guns, and Money,” talks to Greg Olear about Iran-Contra, the Vietnam War, the mythologizing of JFK, Nicaraguan politics of the 1980s, the CIA, what Donald Trump is like in person, and more. Plus: a little Col...
Dec 01, 2023•1 hr 19 min
In October, the novelist Elisa Albert went with her mother on a trip to Israel, to attend the installation of the Codex Sassoon, the oldest known copy of the Hebrew Bible, at the ANU Museum of the Jewish People. She was anticipating a fun, festive vacation. Hamas had other plans. Greg Olear talks to her about her experience being in Israel on the night of the October 7 terrorist attacks, the subsequent Hamas War, the intricacies of the situation, and the response in the United States. Plus: a ne...
Nov 10, 2023•58 min
What does Putin want? How about Iran, Hamas, and the GOP? Greg Olear talks to geopolitical analyst Jason Pack, founder of the NATO & The Global Enduring Disorder Project and the co-host of The Disorder Podcast, about the Post-Post-Cold War, the global disorderers on the world stage, the Israel-Hamas War and its possible resolution, the strategic importance of Ukraine, and more. Plus: Song of Mike Johnson. Follow Jason: https://twitter.com/jasonpacklibya Subscribe to the Disorder podcast: htt...
Nov 03, 2023•1 hr 22 min
Cheri Jacobus is a political analyst and operative, as well as the host of the “Politics with Cheri Jacobus” podcast. She talks to Greg Olear about her experiences as an early “Never Trump” Republican, the consequences of her truth-telling, how the media created Trump, the success of Biden/Harris, and more. Plus: MAGA perdedor. Follow Cheri: https://twitter.com/CheriJacobus Subscribe to her podcast: https://www.patreon.com/PoliticsWithCheriJacobus Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/50prevai...
Oct 27, 2023•1 hr 19 min
Reprise: The Trauma Vortex (with Claudia Black) Trump, the assault on common decency, pandemic, quarantine, insurrection, and now war: we have all suffered collective trauma these last seven years. Greg Olear talks with actor and trauma therapist Claudia Black about the causes of trauma and how to heal from it. Plus: DFG sings. Follow Claudia: https://twitter.com/TheClaudiaBlack Her site: https://claudiablackconsulting.com/ Thanks HelloFresh! Go to HelloFresh.com/50prevail and use code 50prevail...
Oct 20, 2023•1 hr 35 min
Greg Olear talks to Kathryn Brownell, history professor at Purdue University, about her new book, “24/7 Politics: Cable Television and the Fragmenting of America from Watergate to Fox News” (Princeton University Press, 2023): how cable TV came to be, how politicians from Eisenhower to Trump have used television for messaging, why Roger Ailes was inspired to start Fox News, and where our media is headed. Plus: Roman Empire daydreams. Follow Kathryn: https://twitter.com/KathrynBrownell Buy her boo...
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr 17 min
The Russian invaders are attempting to wipe the Ukrainian city of Kherson off the map. Greg Olear talks with war correspondent Zarina Zabrisky, who is one of only two journalists in Kherson, about the situation on the ground there, the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Crimea, and the psychological impact of war. Follow Zarina: https://twitter.com/ZarinaZabrisky Listen to her podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-russia-ukraine-war-report/id1638824715 Watch “Under Deadly Skies:” https://w...
Oct 06, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Greg Olear talks with historian and research professor Nelson Lichtenstein, author of “A Fabulous Failure: The Clinton Presidency and the Transformation of American Capitalism,” about the “fabulous decade” of the 1990s, neoliberalism, Robert Rubin, Clinton-era deregulation, NAFTA, healthcare, and the current rise of the labor movement. Plus: a prince sings. Follow Nelson: https://twitter.com/NelsonLichtens1 Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Fabulous-Failure-Presidency-Transformation-Capitalis...
Sep 29, 2023•1 hr 17 min
