How the Left was Won

Mike and Jake continue their dive into the world of Rush Limbaugh by examining Rush's reaction to the first Democratic debate of the 2007-2008 election cycle. Rush complains about perfectly competent answers and gets mad that he has to give a standard disclaimer on his show.

Mike decides to revisit an experience from his childhood by reviewing an episode of Rush Limbaugh. Mike brings his brother, Dan along to join him and Jake in this endeavor. The boys discuss Rush's lies about Nancy Pelosi's plane and adoptive parents, and his opinions of Presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

With the ongoing increase in ICE activity, Mike and Jake decide to delve into the history of ICE and how it's always been a terrible organization.

In light of the recent ceasefire Mike and Jake return to the conflict between Israel and Palestine to analyze the topic in a much more thorough manner.

In light of the recent killing of the CEO of United Healthcare, Mike and Jake explore the idea of political violence and whether or not it's ever justified.

Mike and Jake take on their first theory episode by starting Leon Trotsky's book Fascism: What It Is and How to Fight It.

Mike and Jake celebrate the anniversary of Mussolini's death a week late by wrapping up his story on Karl Marx's birthday. They explore his escape from captivity, his ever-changing mental state in German occupied Italy, and his final attempt to escape and his execution.

Mike and Jake explore Italy's involvement in the second world war. They learn exactly how incompetent Mussolini was with regard to warfare and what happens to him as a result.

Mike and Jake appropriately celebrate St. Patrick's Day, by having Mike's friend Patrick from the UK. The three discuss the shit show that was Brexit and other nonsense the Tories have put the country through and wonder if the UK is on the road to fascism.

Mike and Jake return to Mussolini's mediocre book. Mussolini spends a lot of time describing a banquet and awful things Popes have done and very little time on the actual plot. Some guy tries to kill Claudia and this is resolved almost immediately.

Mike and Jake explore the time between the Italo-Ethiopian war and WWII, seeing exactly how Mussolini's and Hitler's relationship changed in that time.

Jake forgot that he had to write notes for this episode, so Mike and Jake (try to) talk about neo-Confederates and the Lost Cause myth to wrap up the year in our first completely unscripted episode.

Mike and Jake get back to reading Mussolini's book. A mob forms and is quickly placated and a nun gives pretty useless advice to our protagonist.

Mike and Jake finally return to talking about fascism in Italy by talking about Italy's first war after Mussolini's rise to power.

Mike and Jake finally find time in their busy schedules to record an episode. This time, they take a break from talking about Mussolini to examine the Israel-Palestine conflict, the history of Zionism and its negative impacts, as well as how antisemites try to hide their bigotry behind anti-Zionism. They also touch on The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, their plans to bring about a dictato...

After a hiatus, Mike and Jake return with a recap episode going over what we've covered of Mussolini so far and how it relates to today.

Jake and Mike continue reading Mussolini's book. In this installment, we finally see Emanuel and Don Benizio clash and we get to see how the common people are reacting.

Mike and Jake return after an unexpectedly long break to continue their dive into Mussolini and Italian Fascism. Jake takes the lead this time, giving an overview of the first year of the fascist regime. Also, Mike and Jake experience their first technical difficulties.

Mike and Jake continue reading The Cardinal's Mistress. The titular Cardinal continues to be absent, but Don Benizio decides to attempt to threaten Claudia into getting together with him and then get drunk when that doesn't work.

Mike and Jake continue to delve into the wacky world of Mussolini and the Italian Fascists. Highlights include Mussolini betraying all his principles, arming a private army, destroying the lives of his first wife and his son with her, and the Fascists taking control of the country.

Mike needs more time to do research, so he and Jake decide to continue reading Mussolini's book. Things are beginning to look up, but weird writing choices are still present.

Mike and Jake begin their readthrough of Mussolini's most prominent (and only) work of fiction, The Cardinal's Mistress. Highlights include almost no dialog, the main characters doing nothing and a description of a party that goes on for way too long.

Mike and Jake begin their exploration into the origins of fascism. Mike gives Jake an overview of Benito Mussolini's early life. We learn of Mussolini's initial political leanings as a socialist and his violent tendencies towards others.

Hosts Mike and Jake talk about what they're actually fighting by discussing what fascism really is.

Hosts Mike and Jake introduce themselves and explain why they decided to start this podcast.