Beltway Banthas

Latest Episodes:

Making "How The Force Can Fix The World" into an audiobook Aug 14, 2021

Show notes

Ever wanted to peek behind the curtain of the making of an Audiobook? Now you can! In this episode of Beltway Banthas, check out what's going on with the making of How The Force Can Fix The World for Audible. Stick around for a preview of Stephen Kent's appearance on the Around The Galaxy podcast to talk about the politics of Star Wars fandom, and a review of the Bad Batch season one finale.

Get the book! HOW THE FORCE CAN FIX THE WORLD by Stephen Kent: https://www.centerstreet.com/titles/stephen-kent/how-the-force-can-fix-the-world/9781546000488/

Listen to Around the Galaxy ft. Stephen Kent: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/126-stephen-kent-this-war-represents-a-failure-to-listen/id1460815340?i=1000530039034

Join the newsletter: https://politicizeme.substack.com/

If you like politics, check out Stephen Kent's new show: https://www.youtube.com/c/rightlyaj/

Empathy is a gift to yourself, Star Wars can help you find it Jul 30, 2021

Show notes

"Empathy does not make you a good person. Being able to employ it does not rid you of your own basement of horrors. It is a tool to enhance our thinking, for if we know how other people feel, we have a better chance of understanding their thoughts. Hence why it is best used in service of those you disagree with" - Ayishat A Akanbi.

Today's show is about empathy, and what Star Wars helps to teach us about this valuable principle. Star Wars tells numerous stories about the power of empathy to change lives, improve people and open up new possibilities for heroes and villains alike.

Danielle Adams and Nick DiCo rejoin the show to break it all down with Stephen Kent in this opening salvo of a two-part discussion on empathy in a galaxy far, far away.

Get your copy of "HOW THE FORCE CAN FIX THE WORLD": https://www.centerstreet.com/titles/stephen-kent/how-the-force-can-fix-the-world/9781546000488/

Tyrants love your despair, but Star Wars is fighting for hope Jul 11, 2021

Show notes

Hope is like the sun. So says General Leia. This week on Beltway Banthas, some thoughts on why the struggle for hope in hopeless times is the good fight. Logan Albright joins the show to talk about his recent op-ed on the problem of hopelessness & rising deaths of despair, and what it means for our politics and relationships. Of course, this all revolves around the wisdom of the galaxy far far away like any good Beltway Banthas episode would do.

Pre-Order the book! HOW THE FORCE CAN FIX THE WORLD by going here: https://linktr.ee/skentbm

Stay in touch with Stephen Kent & the show by emailing BeltwayBanthas@gmail.com or sub to the newsletter @ politicizeme.substack.com

Follow on Twitter @BeltwayBanthas and @Stephen_kent89

How the FORCE can fix the world, weekly listener hangouts and Star Wars life lessons May 27, 2021

Show notes

Banthas! We're back and up and running after a brief disturbance in the Force. On this episode, Stephen Kent breaks down the latest in the journey toward publishing a book based on this very podcast and the life lessons embedded in Star Wars. Here you can listen to Stephen read the draft Introduction to the book: How The Force Can Fix The World: Lessons on Life, Liberty, and Happiness From a Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Announcement! Every Thursday we'll host a Video Hangout for friends of the show. The link is below and it starts tonight, May 27th.

****BELTWAY BANTHAS WEEKLY HANGOUT @ 9:00 – 10:30pm EST ***

Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/vpr-pkyk-zfh

Join us also on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUe4SZeDlA4B6W0axMVHUMA

Substack Newsletter: https://politicizeme.substack.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeltwayBanthas

Website: retrozap.com/beltway-banthas/

Redemption, feeding the Shadow and how Star Wars conquers hubris Apr 05, 2021

Show notes

This month on Beltway Banthas, host Stephen Kent speaks with writer Brittany Hunter about Star Wars' complicated narrative on redemption. What does it mean to "come back to the light" or to be redeemed in Star Wars' greatest character arcs? As Stephen works his way toward finishing his book, How The Force Can Fix America this conversation is meant to work through one of the most sticky issues in American life...our nation's own redemption story.

Understanding Economics with the Power of Star Wars Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

Economics is like the Force, it surrounds us, penetrates us and binds the galaxy together. If you've never really been into economic theory, it's okay you're not alone. This episode is your primer on Economics 101 using Star Wars as a guide to powerful ideas such as Game Theory, Supply & Demand, Opportunity Cost and Incentives. Whether it's Rogue One, Return of the Jedi, Solo, A New Hope or Attack of the Clones...Star Wars is chock full of great scenes that have hidden lessons on economic theory

Self-own or cancel culture? Gina Carano fired from The Mandalorian Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

Gina Carano has been sacked by Disney Lucasfilm and will not be involved in The Mandalorian going forward. Today on Beltway Banthas, Stephen Kent speaks with Robby Soave of Reason Magazine and author of Panic Attack: Young Radicals in the Age of Trump. Robby and Stephen generally share the same concerns about what's known as cancel culture, but come down in different places on how we should think about Gina Carano's firing.

Star Wars on hope, fear and a much needed New Year Dec 31, 2020

Show notes

Star Wars is all about conquering fear. Naming it. Facing it. It's the destiny of a Jedi after all. This episode is a reflection on fear, attachment and the search for hope beyond 2020. It's okay if you don't feel hope. This year has been hard. But nevertheless, "hope is like the sun...if you only believe in it when you see it, you'll never make it through the night." Happy New Years everyone. May the Force be with you.

Outer Rim Elegy & Brian Silliman of SYFY WIRE on The Mandalorian Nov 30, 2020

Show notes

Hello Banthas! I hope you had a great holiday weekend. The episode for this month tackles the political intrigue of The Mandalorian, whose recent episode offered some new insights on the troubles of governing a galaxy. There's a lot to chew on and it's important, not just for understanding Star Wars lore but for grappling with our own world's political disorder. We start off with a talk on government in a galaxy far, far away. After that, Brian Silliman (SYFY WIRE + Jabba The Pod) joins the show.

Election 2020 Rebel Alliance Situation Room Roundtable Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

Election Day is upon us. ALL WINGS REPORT IN! On this months edition of the Beltway Banthas Roundtable, Stephen Kent is joined by Joe Tavano and Gabby Martin to ready for the 2020 election and break down our most recent episode. David French recently joined the podcast to explain why "Federalism" might be America's only salvation as polarization rips the union the asunder, and Stephen likened the stakes of our politics to a Death Star level threat. The panel will discuss this idea in-depth.

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