Burn the Boats

Medal of Honor Recipient and conservative radio host David Bellavia talks about the recent shift in the Republican party, what makes a qualified candidate, and the differences between Democrats and Republicans. Staff Sergeant David Bellavia served in the Army and deployed to Iraq in 2004. During the Second Battle of Fallujah, Bellavia cleared a house filled with five insurgents in order to save hi...

Flipsyde member Jinho ‘Piper’ Ferreira talks about how his experiences as a police officer, rapper, and artist have influenced him. Piper was born and raised in Oakland, California. During his childhood in the 80’s and 90’s, Oakland was rife with crime, and police/community relations were at an all-time low.  In 2002, Piper’s childhood friend Jihad Akbar was killed by police. This inspired him to...

Astronaut Garrett Reisman discusses how the Ukraine Russia War, Elon Musk, and global warming are impacting space exploration. During the interview, Garrett talks about the development of conspiracy theories, from doubting the moon landing to doubting elections: “I could laugh at the guys in the tinfoil hats that said we didn't go to the Moon. But now that it's corrupting our society and amplified...

Michael Gerson was a presidential speechwriter for George W. Bush, and is now a powerful voice of dissent in the Republican establishment. Michael talks to Ken about what led him down this path of dissent, about the role of faith in motivating his decision to speak out, and about where he thinks our country is headed.  Michael is a syndicated op-ed columnist for the Washington Post and host of “In...

Former Representative Denver Riggleman discusses the January 6th committee, his experiences as a Republican during the Trump Administration, and his new book, The Breach. Denver Riggleman served in the Air Force for 15 years. Most of that time was spent as an intelligence officer and NSA advisor. From 2019 to 2021, Riggleman represented Virginia’s 5th Congressional District in the House of Represe...

Anne Nelson talks about the November Midterm Elections, right-wing domestic extremism, and the direction of the Republican Party. Anne is an award-winning war correspondent and author. Her newest book, Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right, details the influence of the Council for National Policy, a powerful right-wing political coalition.  In the interview, Anne ta...

Former Senator Al Franken discusses the radicalization of the Republican party and the threats facing American Democracy.  During the interview, Al had this to say about his Republican colleagues: “I stay in touch with some of my former Republican colleagues and I will give them crap. I'll text them and I send them Christmas cards. And I ask them about their families and I know them and we joke an...

Former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley talks about her Ohio gubernatorial campaign. Nan Whaley was first elected to the Dayton City Commission in 2005, and was one of the youngest women ever chosen for the seat. In 2014, she became the Mayor of Dayton, and held that position until earlier this year when she decided to run for governor. Nan is facing incumbent Mike DeWine this November, and abortion has be...

Scott Hershovitz talks about his new book, Nasty, Brutish, and Short, in which he discusses philosophy with his children. Scott Hershovtiz is a professor of law and philosophy at the University of Michigan and former law clerk to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Scott’s new book, Nasty, Brutish, and Short, is a “romp through contemporary philosophy” led by his two young sons as they discuss ancient arguments,...

Kris, a combat vet, explains how he studies and disrupts fascism and white supremacism in the U.S. – Kris Goldsmith is an Iraq combat vet who studies disinformation and far right movements. He's the founder of Task Force Butler, an organization of veterans that aims to disrupt online extremist activity and radicalization, and encourage those who have fallen victim to its disinformation to leave th...

Dr. Belew describes the growth, strategies, and consequences of the White Power movement in America.  – Dr. Kathleen Belew, a professor at Northwestern University and author of Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America.  You can find Kathleen on Twitter at @Kathleen_Belew, and learn more about her at kathleenbelew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...

In 2019, Alex provided testimony that led to Donald Trump’s first impeachment, and foreshadowed Russia’s devastating invasion of Ukraine. In this episode, he discusses his decision to blow the whistle, the authoritarianism of the Trump White House, and the stakes of the war in Ukraine. – Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman is an army vet and former director for European affairs for the National S...

Pat Ryan discusses his successful special election campaign, and the nationwide surge in support Democrats have seen in response to the Dobbs decision.  – Pat is a West Point grad and army vet who just won a hotly contested special election in New York's 19th congressional district. He’ll be up for reelection in November. To learn more about Pat, and to support his November campaign, visit patryan...

Jason Kander discusses his new Memoir, Invisible Storm – Jason Kander served as an intelligence officer in Afghanistan, and as Secretary of State for Missouri, before his Senate campaign in 2016 catapulted him onto the national stage. In his new memoir, Invisible Storm, Jason talks about how he decided to step away from an extremely promising political career to focus on his mental health.  Jason...

Esosa Osa is the Deputy Director of Fair Fight Action, an organization founded by Stacy Abrams that advocates for election reform.  Longtime listeners will remember that Esosa guest hosted an interview a few years ago. You can listen to it here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2013, Jim Obergefell and his boyfriend John, who was suffering from a terminal disease, were married on the tarmac in a medical jet at an airport in Maryland. When they returned home to Ohio, they learned that marriage would not be legally recognized. This led Jim to become the lead plaintiff in Obergefell v. Hodges, a 2015 case in which the Supreme Court ruled that the fundamental right to mar...

Jimmy Soni is an author and journalist who was named among Forbes Magazine’s 30 under 30 in media. His new book, The Founders, takes a look at how PayPal was a launching pad for some of the world's most impactful tech entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs, including Elon Musk, went on to create SpaceX, Youtube, Yelp, and many other influential companies.  You can find him on Twitter and Instagram @ji...

Dan Pfeiffer served as Communications Director and Senior Advisor in the Obama Administration, and now co-hosts Pod Save America, a podcast that helps listeners make a difference. His new book, Battling The Big Lie, describes how we nearly lost our democracy in 2020, and how the fight to preserve it continues.  You can find Dan on Twitter at @danpfeiffer, and on Instagram at @pfeiffer3342 Learn mo...

David Gergen served in senior roles for four Presidents: Nixon, Ford, H.W. Bush, and Clinton. He’s since become an award winning journalist, author, and Harvard Professor. His new book, Hearts Touched with Fire, discusses how we must pass the torch to the younger generations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lecia Michelle is an author and anti-racist educator. Her new book, The White Allies Handbook, provides readers with the tools to get off the sidelines and onto the frontlines of the fight against racism.  The White Allies Handbook is currently available for pre-order, and will be released on July 26th. You can find Lecia on Twitter @LeciaMichelle11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon...

Steve Pierson is an activist and organizer who has trained thousands of canvassing volunteers. He also co-hosts the podcast How We Win, where he interviews fellow activists, politicians, and insiders about what is happening on the front lines. You can find Steve on Instagram and Twitter @BluesBoySteve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heather (we aren’t using her last name) is a mother of two living in Alabama, a state that recently passed an anti-trans bill, SB184, that makes it a felony for her to seek the medical care her son needs.  Heather discusses her family’s journey, her son, the recent wave of transphobia, and the repercussions of this bill.  Please consider donating to Heather’s gofundme, which will allow her to relo...

Sebastian Junger is an award-winning author, journalist, and filmmaker. His newest book, Freedom, discusses the innate conflict between the need for community and the desire for independence. Sebastian is also the founder of Vets Town Hall, an organization that gives veterans a platform to share their stories. You can follow him on Twitter @SebastianJunger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...

Amed Khan is an activist, philanthropist and humanitarian who worked with the International Rescue Committee after the Rwandan genocide. He's evacuated refugees from Afghanistan and helped them resettle safely, and he's now focused on Ukraine, helping to lead evacuation efforts there and deliver medical supplies.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Currently, more than 76,000 Afghan refugees who have immigrated to the U.S. have been granted temporary, two-year humanitarian parole status. Shawn VanDiver and his coalition #AfghanEvac, with support from the White House, are urging Congress to pass the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, which among other things, would provide these refugees with a path to a green card and permanent residen...