This week on The 451, Jonathan and Summer talk about work/life/activism balance, Sessions and DeVos, and the current status of the Muslim ban. Jesse shows up in time to chat about hopes and fears, including nuclear meltdown and the prospect of a Koch-backed move to amend the Constitution. Also: what makes Bannon tick?

Democracy In A Hot Car

We are The FourFiftyOne, a podcast for the Resistance. Our hosts are Summer Brennan, Jesse Hirsch, and Jonathan Mann, two journalists and a musician discussing what it means to be an American in the age of Trump.

"The FourFiftyOne" takes its name from the book Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, set in a dystopian America where books are outlawed and any that are found are burned. The book's name comes from the assumed temperature at which paper will burst into flame.

News & Politics

It has been roughly 300 years since our last podcast and for that we apologize. Summer has been working in Paris, Jonathan has a new child, and Jesse has been taking a long nap. This is an apology and explanation episode, for our die-hard listeners and friends. Consider it an indefinite break...but not forever!

Don't Call it Goodbye

This week your hosts ask existential questions about the 451's purpose in a broad media landscape (spoiler: not a breaking news podcast!). They also discuss infighting on the left, how to pronounce covfefe (it's cuv-feffay, trust us), redistricting North Carolina, "theory" vs. "conspiracy theory", policing the Internet, and Jonathan reveals his cartoon voices for conservatives and liberals.

Cocaine in the Cough Syrup

This week your hosts marvel at the sheer enormity of news and information we're all contending with right now. They dive into climate, Chaffetz, Comey, our dwindling ability to process new information, and...lobsters. Plus Jonathan gives us some hopeful things to focus on!

Consider the Lobster

The 451 is back! And it feels so good. This week -- with the help of new producer Hank -- your hosts discuss new babies, whether there is such a thing as the ~Final Trump Straw~, Handmaid's Tale, our 100 days of tears, Macron's election, Medicare for all, and so much more.

Boiling a Frog

In this special short episode, Jesse interviews James Thompson, a civil rights attorney and decorated war veteran. Thompson is the Democratic candidate running for Congress in a special election on Tuesday, April 11th, in Kansas. Thompson once seemed like a long shot (his district went for Trump by 27 points) but the race has been closing in recent weeks. In this interview, Thompson discusses his platform, the nasty campaigning of his opponent, and how you can help his campaign in the 11th hour (visit votejamesthompson.com!)

Democracy In A Hot Car

Download our free app to listen on your phone