The Home Front

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Trump and Musk’s Big Distraction with Kara Swisher Mar 03, 2025

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Host Reed Galen is joined by journalist, author, podcaster, and tech expert…Kara Swisher. They explore the complexities of the tech industry and the personalities of its leaders, such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. They discuss the dynamics of power, insecurity, public image, political affiliations (especially in relation to Donald Trump), ideologies, and masculinity within tech culture. Plus, the implications of technology on surveillance, democracy, and personal liberty. For more from Kara Swisher listen to “Pivot” and “On with Kara Swisher”, and stay tuned for upcoming release of the paperback of “Burn Book: A Tech Love Story.” For more from Reed Galen, subscribe to The Home Front, check out Sez Us for a new social media platform for sane people, and if you want to personally join the fight to save our nation’s democracy, visit JoinTheUnion.us and sign up today.

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Bezos and the Bobos in Pressland with Abigail Tracy Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

Today, host Reed Galen and journalist Abigail Tracy discuss the state of the White House press corps, why so many reporters let Republicans get away with giving blind quotes, and what Jeff Bezos' actions at the Washington Post mean for a storied American institution.

Join Reed on Substack

Follow Abby on Instagram

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Money, Lies, God, and the Movement to Destroy American Democracy with Katherine Stewart Feb 25, 2025

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Host Reed Galen is joined by Katherine Stewart, an expert on anti-democratic groups and the Christian nationalist movement. They discuss the complexities of the Christian nationalist movement, the well-organized infrastructure of anti-democratic groups, the ideological underpinnings of power and control, and the ways in which economic dislocation has shifted political allegiances. Plus, the ongoing destruction of the administrative state, the importance of community/belonging in activism, and the crucial need for unity in pro-democracy movements. For more from Katherine Stewart, be sure to pick up her latest book, “Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy”, available wherever fine books are found. For more from Reed Galen, subscribe to The Home Front, check out Sez Us for a new social media platform for sane people, and if you want to personally join the fight to save our nation’s democracy, visit JoinTheUnion.us and sign up today.

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Olson's Rules for Dealing with Autocrats :: Part 2 - Speak Truth to Power Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

Today, Host Reed Galen takes you through the second of Trygve Olson's Seven Rules for Dealing with Autocrats. It's crucial that we speak truth to power where it matters - with the people! You can read the write-up on Substack below.

Rule #2

Go to JoinTheUnion.us to get involved in the work of restoring democracy today.

Join Sez.us today and become part of a growing community creating the social media network for sanity!

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Foreign Agents and American Kleptocracy with Casey Michel Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Host Reed Galen is joined by Casey Michel, investigative journalist and Director of the Combating Kleptocracy Program at the Human Rights Foundation. They discuss the evolution of lobbying in Washington, the influence of kleptocracy, the bipartisan nature of foreign lobbying, and the moral implications of representing authoritarian regimes. Plus, the pervasive cynicism in American politics and the ethical dissonance in PR firms. For more from Casey Michel check out his work with the Human Rights Foundation, and pick up his latest book, Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World wherever fine books are found. For more from Reed Galen subscribe to The Home Front, check out Sez Us for a new social media platform for sane people, and if you want to personally join the fight to save our nation’s democracy, visit JoinTheUnion.us and sign up today.

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Get Off the Moral Mountain with Kurt Bardella Feb 15, 2025

Show notes

Today, Host Reed Galen is joined by News Nation Contributor and Communications Strategist Kurt Bardella. Kurt and Reed discuss shortcomings in Democratic messaging and action in reaction to Donald Trump's early actions, why doing the right thing is not always the easy thing but worth it, and why Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Half Time Show (watched by 132 million people) made MAGA kick and scream,.

Find Kurt at News Nation

And on his YouTube show, Kurt's Country

Join Reed on Substack at The Home Front

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Olson's Rules for Dealing with Autocrats :: Part I - Play the Game You're In Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Today, Host Reed Galen begins a seven-part series: Olson's Rules for Dealing with Autocrats. Based on longtime colleague Trygve Olson's experiences overseas, Reed begins with Rule #1 - Play the Game You're In, Not the One You're Used To. Reed takes you through what this means, some real-world examples, and some advice on how to survive today's political fire hose.

Read the corresponding Substack post here.

Follow Reed at Linktree.

Go to JoinTheUnion.us and get involved with the world of rebuilding, repairing, and reforming American politics.

Go to Sez.Us and join the INDEPENDENT social media network that let's you decide who you see and what you read.

To learn more about Trygve Olson, go to his Bluesky page.

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All Over the Place with Abigail Tracy Feb 09, 2025

Show notes

Host Reed Galen and Abigail Tracy get tossed around in the bouncy house of American politics. They discuss the first two-plus weeks of the Trump administration, what it means for USAID to disappear, why when these types of regimes move fast and break things, it takes years to recover, and...many, many World War 2 references.

Go to JoinTheUnion.us and sign up to get involved with the important work of building what comes next!

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Fascism, Modern Masculinity, and TikTok with Jonathan Buchwalter Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

Host Reed Galen is joined by Jonathan “Buck” Buchwalter, a veteran of the US Marine Corps Reserve, and Social Studies teacher in Tuscaloosa, Alabama with a focus on History and Philosophy. He’s also developed quite the following as a TikTok creator under the handle @JonsterTruck where he regularly posts history & philosophy videos. Reed and Buck discuss the nature of propaganda through the lens of Nazi Germany and how the “big lie” is a dangerous tool of manipulation, the psychological underpinnings of totalitarian/fascist regimes, the societal impact of social isolation, and the crisis that is modern masculinity and the unattainable standards it imposes on men. Plus, the power of the Tik Tok algorithm and the need for policy change regarding online content. For more from Jonathan Buchwalter, subscribe to his YouTube and TikTok channels, join his Patreon, and pick up his sci-fi trilogy, “The Night Sky Trilogy”. For more from Reed Galen subscribe to The Home Front, check out Sez Us for a new social media platform for sane people, and if you want to personally join the fight to save our nation’s democracy, visit JoinTheUnion.us and sign up today.

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You Can’t Fire Everyone with Brendan Ballou Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Host Reed Galen is joined by Brendan Ballou, a federal prosecutor who’s served as Special Counsel for Private Equity in the Justice Department's Antitrust Division. They discuss the latest regarding the recent FBI/DOJ firings, the implications of the January 6th pardons, and concerns about the rise of vigilantism and political violence. Plus, the national security risks of individuals like Elon Musk, the need for a proactive approach to democracy, and the importance of maintaining institutional integrity. For more from Brendan Ballou, check out his recent guest essay in the New York Times that was discussed in this episode and pick up his latest book, PLUNDER: Private Equity's Plan to Pillage America. For more from Reed Galen subscribe to The Home Front, check out Sez Us for a new social media platform for sane people, and if you want to personally join the fight to save our nation’s democracy, visit JoinTheUnion.us and sign up today.

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