Apocalypse...Now?

Apocalypse...Now?

By Jo Anna Van ThuyneComedySociety & CultureComedy InterviewsPersonal Journals
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Apocalypse...Now? episodes

  • Can America Survive Its 250th Birthday Party?

    America is turning 250, but the celebration is already running into controversy. In this episode of Apocalypse...Now?, I explore the political tensions, sponsorship disputes, and cultural conflicts surrounding America's semiquincentennial, from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia. Then I kick off the latest installment of 250 Reasons to Love the USA with a look at 20 American inventions that changed the world, including the internet, the airplane, air conditioning, and the telephone. Is America too divided to celebrate its own birthday, or is arguing about America the most American tradition of all?

    25 min
  • Attack on Late Night: Democracy Decaying, and Stephen Colbert Yeeted Off of CBS
    Welcome back, you beautiful burned-out bunker builders-- where, in this episode, we explore the neon-lit hellscape we now call the entertainment industry. This is Apocalypse…Now?, the podcast where comedy, culture, and chaos hold hands and walk into the sea. On this episode, I summoned Emmy-nominated comedy writer and grief expert Alison Zeidman to the pod to talk about something terrifying:
    The death of late night television.
    More specifically — the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
    Yes. That Colbert. That show. That number-one-in-the-ratings Colbert.
    Gone.
    Slain not by market forces or ratings dips, but by a weird, murky cocktail of corporate cowardice, lawsuit settlements, and good old-fashioned fascist vibes. If you’re not screaming yet, don’t worry — Alison and I did plenty for you.
    36 min
  • Is American Fascism Already Here? Professor Anthony DiMaggio Breaks It Down | Apocalypse…Now? Podcast

    Has democracy in America reached its breaking point? In this episode of Apocalypse…Now?, Jo Ana Van Thuyne explores whether the United States has already crossed into fascist territory — or if there’s still time to pull back from the brink. Joining Jo Anna is Professor Anthony DiMaggio, political science scholar at Lehigh University and author of Rising Fascism in America: It Can Happen Here.

    Together, they unpack the signs, dangers, and real-world consequences of America’s political trajectory in 2025.

    The State of Democracy: Crisis or Collapse?

    Jo Anna poses the question: Has America fallen into a fascist authoritarian regime?

    In this candid conversation, Jo Anna and Anthony discuss everything from deporting pro-Palestinian protestors to sending people to prisons in El Salvador — illustrating the fragile state of free expression and protest rights today.

    Finding Love, Finding Fear

    Intertwined with this heavy subject matter, Jo Anna reflects on the need for connection amid societal upheaval. What else can we do in the face of systemic decline?

    This episode gives listeners a “safe space happy place” to have these hard conversations.

    Meet Our Guest: Professor Anthony DiMaggio

    Anthony DiMaggio is no stranger to studying the warning signs of democracy’s collapse. As a professor, author, and researcher on social movements, media, and extremism, his work shines a harsh light on America’s increasingly authoritarian tilt.

    • 🏛️ Specialization: Fascism, right-wing extremism, social movements, political communication

    • 📚 Jo Anna Discusses His Book: Rising Fascism in America: It Can Happen Here

      What We Cover in This Episode
      🔥 Is Fascism Already Here?

      Professor DiMaggio shares why he believes the January 6th insurrection was a turning point that exposed America’s vulnerability to fascism — but also how the seeds of extremism were sown long before, through decades of political rhetoric, inequality, and right-wing propaganda.

      📢 The Media’s Role in America’s Authoritarian Shift

      Jo Anna and Anthony dissect the rise of right-wing echo chambers, social media polarization, and how corporate media has failed to warn the public about the looming threats to democracy.

      🛡️ How Citizens Can Fight Back

      The conversation turns toward hope and resistance:

      • 📢 Protest movements

      • 🧠 Critical thinking and media literacy

      • 🏘️ Building strong, resilient local communities

      • 💵 Using your dollars to support ethical organizations

        🎲 Game Time: Is It Fascism?

        To make it even more awkward, Jo Anna hosts a darkly humorous “game show” nobody asked for called, Is It Fascism? Hear Anthony weigh in on issues like Project 2025, deporting student protesters, and censorship of public institutions — and tell us whether or not it’s full blown fascism.

        Spoiler: Jeff Bezos’ phallic rocket is mentioned at some point. 

        Want to Take Action? Here’s How:

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        • Support independent voices: Share this episode with friends who care about democracy.

          More from Jo Anna Van Thuyne

          • 🎙️ ApocalypseNowPodcast.com

          • 📸 TikTok & Instagram: @JoPincushion

          • 🎵 Music: Available on Spotify and Apple Music under Jo Anna Van Thuyne

          • 💬 Leave a voicemail: (920) 474-6763

            About Apocalypse…Now?

            Apocalypse…Now? isn’t just a podcast — it’s a chronicle of the strange, tense, often absurd reality we now live in. Hosted by Jo Anna Van Thuyne, each episode tackles existential threats (political, environmental, technological) with a mix of sharp insight, gallows humor, and a fiercely independent spirit.

            🎯 Quick Summary (for embedding or sharing)

            • Topic: Is American fascism already here?

            • Guest: Professor Anthony DiMaggio

            • Host: Joanna Van Thuyne

            • Tags: Fascism, Democracy, Authoritarianism, Apocalypse Now Podcast

            • Listen on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Patreon, ApocalypseNowPodcast.com

            • CTA: Subscribe, review, and support independent media on Patreon

              No Sponsors. No Commercials. Just Real Talk.

              The show is independently produced. This episode has no sponsorship messages, no corporate interruptions. If you value raw, unfiltered discussions on topics that matter, you can support the show for free at Patreon.com/JoAnnaVT.

              38 min
            • AI Is Coming for Your Job (and Maybe Your Drive-Thru)
              What happens when corporate America gets its hands on artificial intelligence? Are we on the brink of a technological utopia where humans are liberated from mundane tasks, or are we careening toward an automation apocalypse where creative minds are obsolete? This episode we talk about AI and jobs and the future of work.
              Welcome back to Apocalypse...Now?, where your host, Jo Anna Van Thuyne—actor, comedian, podcaster, filmmaker, and musician—dives headfirst into the chaotic, unsettling, and downright absurd world of AI. In this episode, Jo Anna reflects on her personal automation anxiety,, the future of work, creativity, and the relentless march toward the automation apocalypse.
              AI: Friend or Foe?
              34 min
            • Apocalypses, Aliens, and Turning 40: Jo Anna Van Thuyne’s Chaotic Comeback
              Guess who's back? Back again. Jo Anna Van Thuyne's back—so tell a friend. Or, you know, just leave a voicemail at (920) 474-6763 because this woman is ready to hear your deepest, darkest, most pandemic-induced existential crises. After a hiatus that probably involved some soul-searching, a 9-to-5 grind, and a midlife crisis complete with a side of alien conspiracies, Jo Anna has clawed her way out of survival mode and is here to remind us all that Apocalypse... Now? is still a thing—and so is she.
              19 min
            • Drones, Fascism, and Aliens—Oh My! Navigating Midlife Crises and Apocalypse Vibes
              This trailer kicks off an unfiltered flight into the chaos of modern life! From drones dominating the skies to the return of Trump, midlife crises, and the ever-present specter of aliens, host Jo Anna Van Thuyne returns to tackle the dystopian realities of life with humor and insight. Don’t miss new episodes of Apocalypse… Now? starting January 2025. Join us as we hold space for the end of the world—metaphorically… we hope.
              2 min

            About Apocalypse...Now?

            From the publisher's feed

            Jo Anna Van Thuyne hosts this comedic podcast that explores the existential philosophy of The Apocalypse while sharing her life story, and talking to opinionated people.