Theme park rides stand as one of the few forms of popular entertainment that can vanish with no way to experience them once again. So, how can such a cherished art form be preserved? Kevin Perjurer, the creative mind behind Defunctland, has made it his business to document the fleeting nature of theme parks, both the good and the bad. In this episode, Adam and Kevin discuss how theme parks shape the cultures that give rise to them, the extent to which our own history is molded and packaged for our entertainment, and the pivotal role YouTube historians play in dismantling the everyday myths we tell ourselves.

The Secret History of Theme Parks with Defunctland

Comedian Adam Conover talks to exceptional experts, revealing shocking truths and thought-provoking new perspectives. It’s an investigative comedy podcast for curious people who never stop asking questions. 

Comedy

The climate crisis is unfolding very day, with many inevitable consequences looming in the near future. While we may hope for clean energy or fossil fuel alternatives to save the day, climate change is more than just a technological issue—it's fundamentally a social problem. When tend to view climate change only from an ecological or technological perspective, but we require a sociological view to understand how we can collectively solve it. This week, Adam discusses these complexities with Dr. Dana Fisher, Director of the Center for Environment, Community, & Equity and author of "Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action." They explore the role of hope in the climate crisis, strategies for collective action, and the possibility that things may worsen before they improve.

Technology Won’t Stop the Climate Apocalypse with Dr. Dana Fisher

The term "socialism" has gained prominence in today's political discourse, yet it hasn't fully entered the political mainstream apart from moments like the Occupy Wall Street movement or Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign. Unlike the fervent following of MAGA, there's no socialist movement of comparable size and far-right politicians outnumber their left-leaning counterparts a hundred to one. Why is this the case, and does socialism actually have a shot at shaping future policy? To answer these questions, Adam is joined by Bhaskar Sunkara, founder of Jacobin, president of The Nation, and author of The Socialist Manifesto: The Case for Radical Politics in an Era of Extreme Inequality.

Why Isn’t the Left Winning? with Bhaskar Sunkara

When we talk about racism in America, we tend to focus on the harm inflicted upon people of color, while rarely focusing on the ways that white people indirectly benefit from a racist culture. Author Tracie McMillan explores this concept of The White Bonus in her latest book, exploring the tangible financial benefits associated with being white in America. In this episode, Adam speaks with Tracie about white Americans reckoning with their privilege, the interconnectedness of racial and class conflicts, and how racism serves as the foundation of the widening class gap in the nation.

How White People Benefit from Racism with Tracie McMillan

The American prison system is in shambles. Rehabilitation efforts fall short, recidivism rates soar, and the numbers show that our incarceration system fails to actually make us any safer. While the notion of abolishing prisons might sound radical, entertaining its principles could help cast light on the shortcomings of our current system and steer us toward a more just society. This week, Adam sits down with Tommie Shelby, a philosopher and professor of African-American studies at Harvard, who authored The Idea of Prison Abolition. Together, they discuss the historical of prison abolition, its feasibility, and its relationship with the practicalities of prison reform.

Should Prison Be Reformed, or Abolished? with Tommie Shelby

There's been a surge in discourse around medications such as Ozempic, prompting understandable skepticism—Is this another weight loss fad, or the beginning of something new? While it is primarily used to treat diabetes and promote weight loss, there's mounting evidence that shows drugs like Ozempic can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and potentially be instrumental in treating addiction. In this episode, Adam speaks with Dr. Dhruv Khullar, a physician and assistant professor of health policy and economics at Weill Cornell Medical College, exploring the efficacy, risks, and impact these drugs have on our relationship with weight and food.

The Secret History of Theme Parks with Defunctland

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