Let’s Talk about the Deep Stuff

Episode 51: Us and Them: Breaking Down the Walls That Divide Us


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In this episode of Let’s Talk About the Deep Stuff, Sean Kneese examines the forces that fuel division, dehumanization, and authoritarianism—past and present. He explores how fear, prejudice, and propaganda pit people against one another, and why recognizing shared humanity matters more than ever. Sean also reflects on today’s challenges, from political tensions in the U.S. after Charlie Kirk’s assassination to the destruction of Gaza and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. With personal insight and moral clarity, this episode invites listeners to question narratives, confront injustice, and think critically about the choices shaping our world.   Books referenced:  https://www.amazon.com/Brave-New-World-Revisited/dp/0060776099

https://www.amazon.com/How-Fascism-Works-Politics-Them/dp/0525511830

https://www.amazon.com/Orientalism-Edward-Said-audiobook/dp/B004HOD1Y2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1X1G6KKEQK06A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7JDBK9YxjOb1kp_qndiL3XhoqEE4U18ofmfbI3Qp7Xf3n5gtTFinnc9tVmgkt_4yxfUrL7ejvZG5_x3BuCnTn9e97bd_OmCPj48v7Rx4OtpniaDKGwk12AKla_JDaCc4mUrvxGJbtMjshbogs3iEM8JorDhMkSC3NHcvodMbdxK4CXiUj6fcB-T-AQYwud59sMUmr2cIbQXWkeneTm6h9dK98aYahnCBnRqdGcg-_zI.WvFkuCwVsv6QCL1mSi9zcsgXlvgnTxaJUUma10jeUZE&dib_tag=se&keywords=orientalism&qid=1757996747&s=books&sprefix=orientalism%2Cstripbooks%2C100&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.com/Hundred-Years-War-Palestine-Colonialism/dp/B083Z3YW4S/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3EPANHMMR1BZU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-2saM3bIOJB0-8gcmppnww.yMi029to-pI4FaE2zAu-Db1evKChxgV-m37HRvexExk&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+hundred+year+war+on+palestine&qid=1757996775&s=audible&sprefix=the+hundred+year+war+on+palestine%2Caudible%2C94&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.com/Being-Jewish-After-Destruction-Gaza/dp/B0DD4M928M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IGVO13KMRCRO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.X3ewAAD1G5W3-QiRH5dLJA.FQIQEJzz5laqBAKLx1mkm0OMEyR5c0dMSbPzKSvvLNY&dib_tag=se&keywords=being+jewish+after+gaza&qid=1757996802&s=audible&sprefix=being+jewish+after+gaza%2Caudible%2C88&sr=1-1

  Sources to things mentioned: 

https://www.vox.com/culture/461239/trump-smithsonian-art-kennedy-center-cia-cold-war

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/charlotte-nursing-student-arrested-ice-150806944.html

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-to-know-about-the-aftermath-of-charlie-kirks-assassination

https://www.aei.org/foreign-and-defense-policy/erdogan-blasts-biden-silent-on-putin-after-both-recognize-armenian-genocide/

 

https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/stephen-miller-hatemonger-biography/

https://www.newsweek.com/groyper-charlie-kirk-shooting-nick-fuentes-2129114

https://www.aclu-wi.org/news/scotus-just-gave-ice-a-green-light-to-profile-latinos-we-should-all-be-outraged/

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-says-immigrants-are-poisoning-blood-country-biden-campaign-liken-rcna130141

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/stephen-miller-deportation-high-school-classmate-b2768997.html

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/13/business/charlie-kirk-death-fired-comments

https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2025/09/15/Dangerous-Targeting-Canadian-Journalist/

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/12/amnesty-international-concludes-israel-is-committing-genocide-against-palestinians-in-gaza/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/16/the-language-being-used-to-describe-palestinians-is-genocidal

https://www.un.org/unispal/about-the-nakba/

https://www.timesofisrael.com/smotrich-says-returning-hostages-not-the-most-important-thing-sparking-fierce-backlash/

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/investigation-finds-israeli-forces-shot-95-gaza-children-in-head-or-chest-in-over-160-examined-cases/3649091

https://churchleaders.com/news/855020-church-at-the-crossroads-stand-against-gaza-war-rns.html

https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-years-netanyahu-propped-up-hamas-now-its-blown-up-in-our-faces/

https://www.972mag.com/mass-assassination-factory-israel-calculated-bombing-gaza/

    My friend Malak Mattar, incredible Palestinian artist who I mentioned: https://www.wallpaper.com/art/together-for-palestine-artist-malak-mattar-interview

Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish: https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/arts24/20250423-i-shall-not-hate-a-palestinian-doctor-s-call-for-peace

  The intro music is "Daybreaker" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

Check out more of his music here: https://karlcasey.bandcamp.com/

Or listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oGlqi5TaK8r8K50fQhUbe?si=drdN0wQNQ7aVXEm3Nx3xhA

IG for Podcast: @letstalkaboutthedeepstuff

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Let’s Talk about the Deep StuffBy Sean Kneese