Current Affairs Unfiltered

This episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered dives deep into the topic of gerrymandering, exploring its historical roots, techniques, and modern implications. Paige discusses the ongoing political battles surrounding redistricting, particularly in Texas and California as Greg/Trump and Gavin Newsom duke it out, and highlights the consequences of gerrymandering on democracy and voter engagement. Are there potential solutions to combat gerrymandering? Maybe. 

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Links:

https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2024/07/gerrymandering-the-origin-story/

https://www.newamerica.org/political-reform/reports/what-we-know-about-redistricting-and-redistricting-reform/where-we-have-been-the-history-of-gerrymandering-in-america/

In this conversation, Danielle Reiff, a retired US diplomat, shares her extensive experience in democracy promotion and peacebuilding. She discusses misconceptions about USAID, the impact of its work on global stability, and the importance of development diplomacy. Reiff emphasizes the need for better communication about USAID's role and the long-term benefits of its initiatives, particularly in mitigating conflict and promoting democratic governance. She also draws parallels between her international experiences and the current divisions within the U.S., advocating for inclusive governance as a means to heal societal rifts.

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Pre Order Danielle's Book: Overcoming Information Chaos https://share.google/MCb9Khv6CGndLCM1a

Checkout Danielle's Website: https://peacebuildersunite.com 

In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige delves into the complex and troubling story of Jeffrey Epstein, exploring his rise from humble beginnings to becoming a powerful figure entangled in a web of sexual abuse and political connections. The conversation covers Epstein's early life, his financial empire, the allegations against him, the challenges faced by law enforcement, and the implications of his connections to high-profile individuals, including Donald Trump. The episode also discusses the ongoing impact of the Epstein case and the recent developments surrounding Ghislaine Maxwell.

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In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige sits down with Adam, founder of Just Future Fund, a progressive super PAC with an unconventional mission: to flip the political system on its head by using its own tools against it. Together, they unpack the murky world of campaign finance—explaining the difference between PACs, super PACs, and dark money groups—and why the Citizens United decision changed everything.

Adam shares what drove him, a political outsider, to launch a super PAC instead of a nonprofit, and how Just Future Fund aims to punch above its weight by investing in smarter, more authentic political messaging. They discuss voter distrust, donor fatigue, the power of influencer-driven campaigning, and the fine (and legally fuzzy) line between coordination and plausible deniability. With insights into how political money moves, where it actually goes, and why transparency is so hard to find, this episode is a mustlisten for anyone curious (or skeptical) about where politics meets money.

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In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige discusses a range of topics including the devastating floods in Texas and the tragedy at Camp Mystic, the complexities of US-Iran relations and military actions, the implications of the recent One Big Beautiful Bill, significant Supreme Court decisions affecting federal workforce policies, and controversial antisemitic comments made by Donald Trump. The episode provides a critical analysis of these events and their broader implications on society and politics. Buckle up!

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In this conversation, Paige and Sam Smeaton, a public school teacher and host of his own podcast ‘All The Things That Matter’, discuss the multifaceted challenges facing public education today, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. They explore the struggles teachers face, including workload, compensation, and the need for support staff. The discussion also touches on the political pressures affecting education, the importance of community support, and the future of public schools. Sam emphasizes the need for educational reform and the critical role public schools play in fostering democracy and community engagement.

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Check out 'All The Things That Matter'

Oh boy... In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige discusses a range of pressing political issues, including Donald Trump's military parade, public protests against presidential power grabs, the alarming rise in political violence, and the implications for civil liberties. She also addresses the youth unemployment crisis and Trump's controversial plans to dismantle FEMA, alongside Tucker Carlson's recent critiques of Fox News (and the worlds funniest clip of him beefing with Ted Cruz).

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In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige sits down with journalist and author Jenny Abamu to unpack the tangled mess that is truth in today’s media landscape. They dig into how journalism shapes national memory, why misinformation spreads like wildfire, and what happens when headlines chase clicks instead of facts. From the pressures of the 24-hour news cycle to the slow erosion of public trust, Jenny breaks down the forces warping our collective understanding of reality. They also explore the role of media literacy, civic education, and Jenny’s own dystopian novel The Herd, in helping us reimagine how we engage with truth. It’s a conversation about rebuilding trust, one accurate sentence at a time.

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Purchase Jenny's Book: The Herd: When Democracy Falls

Follow Jenny on:

Substack: www.jennyabamu.com

Instagram: @jenny.abamu

Bluesky: @jennyabamu.bsky.social

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyabamu/

In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige returns from Europe with fresh perspective. She dives into the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” unpacking the backlash from Elon Musk, the chaos it’s stirred on the Hill, and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s proud refusal to read it. Paige also breaks down Senator Joni Ernst’s grim take on Medicaid cuts (“we’re all going to die”), the FEMA directors' head-scratching ignorance about hurricane season, and the quiet but serious return of Kilmar Abrego-Garcia to face federal charges. 

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WSJ Article on Abrego-Garcia: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/u-s-brings-abrego-garcia-back-from-el-salvador-to-face-criminal-charges-bc6d8ad5?st=8o5Mek&reflink=article_imessage_share

Reuters Article on FEMA Director: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fema-staff-confused-after-head-said-he-was-unaware-us-hurricane-season-sources-2025-06-02/

In this episode, Paige is joined by professor, philosopher and writer Anthony David Vernon for a wide-ranging conversation on the quiet evolution of fascism in contemporary culture. They explore how fascist ideologies are increasingly "disguised". Co-opting everything from AI and internet aesthetics to nostalgic pop culture and traditional values. Vernon breaks down how nationalism remains the central thread of fascist movements, and why it’s important to distinguish between reactionary figures and true authoritarian ideologues.

The conversation also delves into the rise of the “repairman economy”. Paige and Anthony reflect on how cultural and economic narratives intertwine—and what resistance looks like when fascism wears softer, subtler faces.

Together, they imagine a future rooted in social democracy, where progress is incremental but real, and where reclaiming empathy is key to confronting political dehumanization.

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Check out some of Anthony’s articles:

https://academeblog.org/2025/04/17/double-booking-against-higher-education/

https://www.jerryjazzmusician.com/are-jazz-hop-instrumentals-jazz-an-observation-and-playlist-by-anthony-david-vernon/

https://www.bardicsanonymous.com/nonfiction/optimistic-absurdism