Arvin Alaigh, a political activist and PhD student at the University of Cambridge, joined Jordan to talk about his new piece in The Nation about New Jersey’s “county line” ballot design that helps protects incumbents, preserve power in the party machine and block out insurgent and outsider candidates. But, that ballot design could go away soon thanks to a lawsuit from Rep. Andy Kim. Subscribe to the show to get access to a premium episode every week here: https://www.insurgentspod.com/subscribe ...
Apr 12, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com Matt Lech, producer of The Majority Report and host of Left Reckoning joined us to talk about the eclipse, how Fox claimed cartels and migrants would use it to cross the border and whether or not the eclipse is woke. We also talk about Elon’s investigation in Brazil, and Trump’s comments on abortion and tax cuts for the wealthy. You can follow Matt here:…...
Apr 09, 2024•3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Assal Rad, a Middle East scholar and analyst, joins us to talk about Joe Biden’s conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu, the pressure and leverage Biden can use over Israel, the fallout from the WCK strike and much more. Subscribe to the show to get access to a premium episode every week here: https://www.insurgentspod.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.insurgentspod.com/subscribe...
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com We talk about Chaya Raichik’s visit to Indiana University and her inability, yet again, to answer basic questions about her purported core ideals. We also discuss the Planet Fitness bomb threats which, coincidentally, came after several days of her singling out the company for inclusive locker room policies.Also in the episode: California’s minimum wage…...
Apr 03, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dharna Noor of The Guardian joins us to talk about her reporting on the ground in Baltimore after a container ship collided with the Key Bridge, causing it to collapse into the harbor. We discuss the conspiracies and racial myths pushed by the right and the ways some commentators on the left have tried to conflate the crisis with other issues. Dharna also shares the plans to construct a new bridge, how long it will take and the environmental concerns associated with the harbor being out of commi...
Mar 28, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com Lauren of the Batting Around podcast joined me to talk about the growing scandal surrounding baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, the ways that sports betting and gambling has become completely inseparable from sports culture, what that says about our broader economic health, and also whether the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge was caused …...
Mar 26, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast David Masciotra, author of the upcoming book “Exurbia Now: The Battleground of American Democracy” joins Jordan to talk about the ways the exurbs—towns outside of the suburbs—have been a breeding ground for radicalization, fringe politics, extremism, militia activity and more. They also talk about their love of Slayer.You can pre-order a copy of David’s book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/740832/exurbia-now-by-david-masciotra/ —Our most recent premium episode with Andrew Perez of...
Mar 21, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com Andrew Perez, senior politics editor at Rolling Stone, joins us to talk about AIPAC’s talking points that instruct allies to deny mass starvation in Gaza or that aid is being blocked. We explore why they’re doing that, their role in upcoming elections and the amount of money they’re throwing around this cycle which could have serious consequences at the…...
Mar 19, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast As you all know, normally on The Insurgents podcast we celebrate when political figures from different ideological backgrounds come together to pass bipartisan common sense legislation, but in this case, passing a de-facto ban on Tik Tok — the platform that has transfixed millions around the planet with videos of bottles filled with different colored liquids being pushed down concrete staircases — seems like it might be a step in the wrong direction. Rob spoke to Kat Tenbarge of NBC News to inve...
Mar 15, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com Ken Klippenstein is back to talk about his recent story in The Intercept about the Feds’ plans to go after extremist gamers. We explore what their plan entails (or doesn’t) and what 4th Amendment issues may arise with mass data collection. As the government continues to pave new avenues for “countering extremism” we discuss whether they’re actually look…...
Mar 12, 2024•3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Mike from PA joins us again to talk about John Fetterman’s ongoing abandonment from his previously espoused progressivism. Mike takes us through the things Fetterman used to do and stand for at the state and local level and we try to get to the root of his antagonistic behavior as of late. We also recap the Super Tuesday results and look ahead to the general. You can check out Mike’s show here: https://www.twitch.tv/central_committee | Our most recent premium episode with Matt Ford about the Sup...
Mar 08, 2024•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com Matt Ford, who covers the Supreme Court for The New Republic , joins us to explain what SCOTUS actually decided when it ruled states can’t remove Trump from the ballot. We get into the 14th Amendment issues around disqualification the court seemingly ignored, the long-term risks this decision could pose, and what implications this may have on the upcomin…...
Mar 05, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dan Boguslaw is back on the show to talk about his piece in The Intercept revealing what went on at the New York Times in the run up to the story alleging a pattern of systemic, organized sexual assault by Hamas on October 7. These explosive claims, Dan and his co-authors Ryan Grim and Jeremy Scahill found, were not rooted in fact, and the reporters on the story relied on flimsy sourcing. As a result, the piece was used to further justify Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza. We also talk about Dan’...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com Joshua P. Hill joins Jordan to talk about Aaron Bushnell’s self-immolation, the way media has covered this form of protest, the smear attempts by some pundits and members of the press and more. We also discuss Taylor Lorenz’s interview with Libs of TikTok, Nex Benedict and how best to approach public figures who are responsible for real-world hate. You ca…...
Feb 28, 2024•3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hunter Walker and Luppe B. Luppen, aka “nycsouthpaw,” join Jordan to talk about their new book “ The Truce: Progressives, Centrists, and the Future of the Democratic Party .” We talk about the ways progressives and Biden’s camp sought to find unity and build a coalition to defeat Trump and fight for legislation, but how over time and with key White House departures the arrangement became strained. You can grab a copy of their book here . We also talk about Tim Burke’s absurd indictment at the to...
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com Helldivers 2 commanding the attention of gamers has also reignited conversation around Paul Verhoeven’s “Starship Troopers.” We discuss the film, its relevance today, how it was ahead of its time, and more.We also discuss the new Trump sneakers and Jon Stewart’s return to the Daily Show.You can check out Ricky’s show here: https://www.youtube.com/@Inter…...
Feb 21, 2024•3 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week comedian Walter Masterson joins the show, Walter has built up a large following over the last few years by attending MAGA events, anti-abortion rallies, school board meetings where Moms For Liberty acolytes shriek about critical race theory, and lately, pro-Israel marches to talk to some of the fine folks there about some of the very cool and normal things they all believe. We also talk about how likely it would be for a phone scammer to get either of us to hand over $50,000 in a shoeb...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com Sam Biddle of The Intercept joins us to talk about his recent piece examining Meta’s consideration around censoring the word “Zionist.” We discuss how that would look in application, the limits of automated or outsourced content moderation, and the larger shift the company has announced regarding not recommending politic…...
Feb 13, 2024•3 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode, Jordan sits down with Kyle Chayka to talk about his new book “Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture.” Kyle examines how algorithmic recommendations are rarely personalized, how the “Instagram aesthetic” has transformed physical spaces, how Spotify’s dominance has led to shorter, more generic songs, and so much more. It’s a fascinating and thought-provoking book and we think you’ll enjoy it. Pick up a copy here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/filterworld-how-algorithms-f...
Feb 08, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com Liv Agar joins us once again to talk about the new Apple Vision Pro VR headset, if we’re on the cusp of our new VR future and what type of people are already using them.We also talk about the “bipartisan” immigration & border deal that really is just a wish list of conservative priorities for the border plus war funding for Israel and Ukraine. You can f…...
Feb 06, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Prof. Sahar Aziz, Distinguished Professor of Law and Chancellor's Social Justice Scholar at Rutgers Law and author of The Racial Muslim: When Racism Quashes Religious Freedom, joins us to discuss her recent report “Presumptively Antisemitic: Islamophobic Tropes In The Palestine-Israel Discourse.” We explore the ways Islamophobia spreads in the media and shifts the balance of conversation of coverage, resulting in a dehumanizing effect for Muslims, and how—especially in this moment—some genuinely...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com Abraham Josephine Riesman joins us again to talk about Vince McMahon’s departure from WWE after new horrifying allegations emerge about his behavior. We look at it through wrestling’s unique position as a “sports entertainment” enterprise and how top figures who still remain at the organization try to use that same premise to deflect or distract from th…...
Jan 30, 2024•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Rayyvana joins us for a quick recap of the New Hampshire primary results, what the road forward for Nikki Haley looks like, the brewing standoff at the border and a conversation about a piece in The Economist about why you should never retire.You can follow Rayyvana here: https://twitter.com/RayyvanaTTV - Our most recent premium episode about the artificial scarcity driving the Stanley cup craze, DeSantis dropping out of the race and why being sports fan is ultimately about misery is available h...
Jan 26, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com We try to get to the bottom of the Stanley Cup craze, take a look at the New Hampshire primary as it stands with DeSantis dropping out, and talk about why being a sports fan is ultimately about suffering.
Jan 23, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’re joined on this episode by Erik Sperling, executive director of Just Foreign Policy to discuss the latest on the US strikes on Yemen, the threats of a broader regional conflict, the push to oust White House advisor Brett McGurk, Netanyahu’s “river to the sea” comments and more. You can follow Erik here: https://twitter.com/ErikSperling If you’re near Montreal, join Paris, Rob & Nashwa Lina Khan for a very fun event on January 20th. More info here: https://bit.ly/newsucksweknow Our most rece...
Jan 19, 2024•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com Mac, aka “GoodPoliticGuy” joined us to talk about the US repeatedly bombing Yemen, despite the Biden administration not seeking approval from Congress, Bernie’s attempt to cut funding for Israel through a vote to demand a human rights report and we also take a look at the Iowa caucus results. You can follow Mac here: https://twitter.com/GoodPoliticGuy...
Jan 17, 2024•3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Paris Marx, host of Tech Won’t Save Us , joins us to talk about the latest tech news, how Elon suspended Rob (a bad move), Ken (a good move), and others (a bad move) from Twitter, and much, much more.If you’re near Montreal, join Paris, Rob & Nashwa Lina Khan for a very fun event on January 20th. More info here: https://bit.ly/newsucksweknow If you can subscribe to the show, it’s greatly appreciated and as a thank you, you’ll receive an additional episode every week: https://www.insurgentspod.co...
Jan 12, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com A statement: Rob Rousseau was suspended from Twitter. We do not know why. No reason was provided. The only explanation must be that he was suspended for his fervent conservative, anti-woke beliefs and exercising his free speech to further those ideas.—Nikki McCann Ramirez of Rolling Stone is back on the show to update us on Trump’s many legal proceeding…...
Jan 09, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast Manny Fidel joins us to talk about the Jeffrey Epstein documents that have been released so far, New York Jets benchwarmer Aaron Rodgers making baseless accusations about who might be mentioned in them because he’s down the rabbit hole, and how this story just breaks everyone’s brains. We also talk about the Intercept’s reporting on how CNN runs every story on Gaza through its Jerusalem bureau and how that impacts the network’s reporting on Israel. Subscribe to the podcast at InsugentsPod.com/Su...
Jan 05, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.insurgentspod.com Francesca Fiorentini, host of The Bitchuation Room , joins us to discuss Claudine Gay’s ouster from Harvard. The now former university president faced heat over her handling of a Congressional testimony about campus anti-Semitism and a plagiarism “scandal” that soon followed. We take a look at who the right-wing culture warriors behind it were, and also …...
Jan 03, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
