We’ve All Heard It Before

Mike flies solo again and offers another mini-sode. This time, he focuses on key words in Donald Trump's Jan 6th 2021 speech that led to the insurrection.  Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington Univers...

We've returned after a brief late summer/early fall break! In this episode, Mike flies solo and offers a mini episode (mini-sode) on the linguistics concept of blocking, and how it applies to Trump's latest goofiness. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affai...

In this episode, Mike and Peter offer a commentary on the "behind the scenes" aspect of politics and some not-so-conspiratorial theories on how legislative votes are cast. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Wa...

In this episode, Mike and Peter discuss the unprovoked and unnecessary act of aggression by the US against Iran from the perspective of military history, using three S's as bullet points. This episode focuses on Sustainability. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in internati...

In this episode, Mike comments on the resignation of Karoline Leavitt and the contrasting ways in which her departure was discussed on social media by political pundits (Katty Kay and Steve Schmidt) Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Ea...

In this episode, Mike and Peter discuss the unprovoked and unnecessary act of aggression by the US against Iran from the perspective of military history, using three S's as bullet points. This episode focuses on supply. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international aff...

In this episode, Mike and Peter discuss the unprovoked and unnecessary act of aggression by the US against Iran from the perspective of military history, using three S's as bullet points. This episode focuses on strategy. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international a...

In this third of 4 episodes, Mike and Peter continue their discussion on the strange bedfellows Trump has surrounded himself with. This episode focuses on ICE and Stephen Miller's racist motivations, as well as the possibility of ICE being used to police the midterm elections. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from U...

In this precursor episode to their next Strange Bedfellows installment, Mike and Peter compare Stephen Miller to one of Hitler's most notorious henchmen.   Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington Univers...

In this episode, Mike and Peter discuss the life and political career of Lindsey Graham through the strange bedfellows lens.   Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Ger...

In this mini-episode, Mike and Peter revisit the meaning of Strange Bedfellows in the context of politics. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics fr...

In this second of 4 episodes, Mike and Peter continue their discussion on the strange bedfellows Trump has surrounded himself with. This episode focuses on the Epstein files and how the lack of full transparency has landed them into the annals of conspiracy theories.  The Link to The Miami Chronicles: Booby Trap https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/s1e1-the-official-story/id1534934131?i=100049554...

In this first of 4 episodes, Mike and Peter discuss the idiom "Strange Bedfellows" and apply it to Trump's sycophantic cabinet members and other hanger-on advisors. Trump, having made 4 promises to his voters during the 2024 election, assured his supporters on the following issues: (1) He would be a peace president and not start any new wars (2) He would release the Epstein files and expose those...

In this (non-political) mini-episode, Mike and Peter discuss idioms and how important they are in gaining fluency in any given language. This "outtakes" episode serves as a bridge between the previous "Projections" episode and the forthcoming (multi-part) episode on "Strange Bedfellows".  Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics...

In this episode, Mike and Peter discuss how we use language to project onto others. They cite Alexander Hamilton's hijacking of the word Federal, as well as other political nomenclatures, ultimately bringing it all back to an orange colored man.  Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned...

In this third and final of three episodes, Mike and Peter first point out the absurd in Scott Bessent's answers (or lack thereof) during the senate's recent oversight hearing, then they expose the absurdity in Trump's "meltdown" interview with Kristen Welker. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter...

In this second of three episodes, Mike and Peter reference Kafka, Hoffmann, and the madness of war to draw parallels with the mainstream media, Trump, and Marco Rubio; how it all blurs into the absurd. The brief audio clips from The Bridge On The River Kwai are strictly being used for educational purposes only! Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD...

In this first of three episodes, Mike and Peter lay the foundation for the following discourse by offering definitions and examples of the absurd.  Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and...

In this episode, Mike and Peter return to a more linguistics based analysis and zoom in on the weaponization of language - how it's used to convince and inspire, but also manipulate and deceive. The brief audio clip from Darkest Hour is strictly being used for educational purposes only! Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics b...

In this episode, Mike and Peter make a couple announcements and answer a question they received regarding the previous episode. Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Ge...

In this part 2 episode, Mike and Peter discuss fascism as an economic system and how it compares to laissez-faire (free market) capitalism and socialism.   Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington Univers...

In this debut episode of season 2, Mike and Peter discuss the socio-political meaning of fascism and how it can be applied to MAGA and Trump. This is a two-part episode with part two investigating the economic aspect of fascism.   Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in intern...

In this (Non-Political) bonus episode, Mike and Peter discuss the pronunciation of German loanwords into English. When is it appropriate to hyper-articulate the German sound system and when is it just too much? When is the English pronunciation more appropriate? And at what point is a lazy English pronunciation just butchering the word, leading to a lack of comprehension?    Michael Fragomeni earn...

In this second part of a two part episode, Mike and Peter discuss Aristotle's Politics in the context of the "No Kings" (peaceful) protests, and the reality that MAGA would actually be okay with a King.   Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia...

In this first part of a two part episode, Mike and Peter discuss Aristotle's Politics in the context of the "No Kings" (peaceful) protests, and the reality that MAGA would actually be okay with a King.   Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley. Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia a...