Estate Sale: the selling out of American democracy

In the first episode of "WTF just happened?" Brad and Laurie react to the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol earlier this week by a mob of Trump-supporting white nationalists.

Now five people are dead and Capitol cybersecurity has been breached all because the president of the United States didn't want to admit he had lost a fair election so he chose to spread lies rather than truth - and the GOP enabled him.

Bang up job, Republicans, bang up job!

The holiday season is meant to be one of joy and peace, and that could be harder than usual to find this year. But Brad and Laurie are committed to noting the positives of 2020 - namely covid vaccines and, of course, a White House without Trump. YAY!

Oh, and Merry Christmas :)

Brad sat down to interview PRRI founder Robert P. Jones, who this year published White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity. We have had this interview on the books since August, but talking to him after the election turned out to be even better as we were able to discuss polls and how we understand the white church in the political landscape. I hope you will pick up the book, but in the meantime, enjoy this conversation.

While COVID-19 continues to rage throughout the U.S. - thanks largely to superspreader holiday parties at the White House and covid-positive Rudy Guiliani's court briefings -Trump and the GOP have spent their days attempting a coup.

Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden and his team are getting to work naming highly qualified individuals preparing to tackle the nation's biggest problems on Day One.

For our Thanksgiving special, Laurie and Brad chatted more about Trump's crazy "legal team," discussed how crazy you have to be to get on Tucker Carlson's right side, and had some thoughts about the future of politics--as well as carved out some time to highlight those things and people for which we are thankful.

But we also took time to talk about how many people suffer from food insecurity, and we seriously hope that everyone listening will check out ways to help their local food banks as well as those in the hardest hit parts of the country. South Carolina, Texas (especially Houston) and much of the deep south have people lined up for hours to get help from their local food bank. Please help.

Laurie and Brad have a rambling conversation about all things Rudy G, Lindsay Graham, and the continued downward spiral of the Republican party.

Americans repudiate authoritarianism and put Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the White House ... can we get an "Amen"?

Amen.

It was a tense few days as 2020 Election results took longer to reveal what we hoped would be the case - that Americans would choose decency, sanity, democracy over chaos, hate and fear.

There's going to be a lot of work ahead to undo the damage of Trump, but for a few beautiful moments, Brad and Laurie are celebrating the victory.

In our last podcast before this election, Laurie and Brad talk about the last few days of the campaign, but then pivot to talking about positive reasons for voting Biden. We aren't just anti-Trump, though that is clearly true. We are also Ridin' With Biden!!!!

Vote, people. Vote

Laurie and Brad talk to friend and fellow activist Colleen Thomas about a range of issues - from the racial reckoning facing this country to the work following the election of bringing liberals and conservatives together (or not) to how progressives have to keep pushing for American ideals of equality and freedom, exercising our right to vote and fighting against the tyranny Donald Trump has brought to the surface within the GOP and our democracy.

It's a lot.

Hi, Brad here. In addition to co-hosting Estate Sale with Laurie, I also produce a music podcast called Music at Three Pines: The Podcast, where I interview musicians about their craft. Most of those interviewed come from the folk tradition, which as you know, has deep political roots through Rhiannon Giddens, Bob Dylan, and Woody Guthrie. One example, is singer/songwriter Peter Mulvey, who has always been a strong social activist through his music. We talk about the pandemic, the state of the campaign, and along the way, introduce you to some of Peter's music. Hope you enjoy the conversation, and also hope you will visit Peter's webpage for more information on his music and activism.