Fireside Breakdowns

We wanted to take some time this week to talk about our feelings on the Derek Chauvin trial, to talk about some of the changes being proposed in the wake of the death of George Floyd, to recognize the impact Darnella Frazier has made on the world (and the trauma she has experienced) and to talk about how our conversations around this case have shaped how we talk about other cases of police force against people of color. 

There's not a ton of research in this episode, so no detailed shownotes this week. Do check out the resources we'll post via social media (just search Fireside Breakdowns on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and you'll find us).

If you'd like to leave us a review, you can do that in a most expeditious manner at this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/fireside 

**Content warning: This episode contains discussion of Transgender issues, and of violence against Transgender people. Also, the interview in this episode has been edited for clarity.** 

When we say you may want to have a drink on hand for some of our episodes, we’re specifically talking about episodes like this one. This, specifically, is a dry red wine episode. The topic is deep, and we’re going to ask you to get introspective and honest with yourself. And, well, that’s what a red wine is good for. 

Today, we are honored to welcome a guest to the show. Her name is Andy, and she is the president of PFLAG in Springfield, MO. Our hope is that she can share with all of us both the heaviness and the joy that is part of the transgender experience.

No shownotes this week because it's all interview, but if you'd like to learn more about PFLAG you can do that here:

And, we'll be sharing some great info from Andy on our social media accounts this week. Find us by searching Fireside Breakdowns.

And finally, if you'd like to leave us a review you can do that right here: https://ratethispodcast.com/fireside 

 We’re back to talk more Fairness Doctrine this week. Last time we covered the basics: What the rule was designed to do, where it came from, and whether or not it actually accomplished what it was supposed to.  This week, we’re bringing you the good stuff, the DRAMA, the controversy! And the crazy real life story of one preacher who waged war on the Doctrine for almost 20 years. 

You can find our shownotes here: https://firesidebreakdowns.podbean.com/p/shownotes-session-30-the-fight-against-fairness/ 

If you'd like to leave us a review, you can do that here: https://linktr.ee/firesidebreakdowns

This week we're exploring the fabled Fairness Doctrine - hailed by some as the solution to pervasive media bias, criticized by others as a glaring example of government over-reach. What was it, and did it work?  

Find our shownotes here: https://firesidebreakdowns.podbean.com/p/shownotes-episode-29-the-fairness-doctrine-part-1/

Find us on social media by searching Fireside Breakdowns.

And, if you'd be so kind, leave us a review here: ratethispodcast.com/fireside

This week, we're taking a break from our usual research-heavy deep dive. Instead, we're walking you through how we analyze news headlines - personally, professionally, and for the podcast. 

No in-depth shownotes this week, but check social for a glimpse at the headlines we covered. Just search firesidebreakdowns and you'll find us.

And, if you would be so kind, we would appreciate it if you would leave us a review. You can do that quickly and easily here: https://ratethispodcast.com/fireside 

Today we’re talking about the minimum wage. You’ve probably seen discussion of it going around here or there: should we or should we not raise the minimum wage. The latest round of coronavirus relief almost included a provision for a $15 minimum wage, but that got nixxed so it would pass. There are… a lot of big feelings about whether or not we should increase the minimum wage and what the effects of such an increase would be. Luckily, we’re here to provide a primer about the minimum wage, and what the arguments both for, and against, raising it are. 

We'd be over the moon if you left us a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/fireside

Shownotes and sources are right here: https://firesidebreakdowns.podbean.com/p/shownotes-episode-27-the-minimum-wage/

And you might be able to find us on social media by searching Fireside Breakdowns

This week we’re FINALLY getting to the crux of the conversation: The Tolerance Paradox.  We wanted to jump right into it last week but we realized that we had some foundation work to do on the concept of tolerance itself, so we spent some time defining what we mean when we talk about tolerance, and why (as a collective, and especially Americans) even value it.  This included some pretty… wonky philosophy about the nature of human discourse and what drives it. You may recall the phrases “classical” and “fortress” being mentioned.  

Then, because so much of our context around tolerance comes down to what people say, AND because of the perception that the Constitution gives us the right to say whatever we want to, we also spent some time breaking down what counts as speech under the Constitution - as defined the the First Amendment and SCOTUS, noting what kinds of speech and expression are and aren’t actually protected under Federal Law. 

So now we’ve given you all the background we think is necessary, and we’re ready to solve this thing.Yes? No. The answer is no. But we are definitely ready to have an intelligent conversation about these ideas, and hopefully help us all come to a place of greater understanding. Because that is always the goal of these episodes. 

Shownotes are here: https://firesidebreakdowns.podbean.com/p/shownotes-episode-26-the-paradox-of-tolerance/

We would LOVE it if you'd leave us a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/fireside

And, you can find us on social by searching Fireside Breakdowns

If you’ve been listening along to the previous couple of episodes, you know that this session aims to explore the ideas of tolerance vs. intolerance, and how the two collide. I’m just going to warn you up front, you’re likely to leave this one with more questions than answers. Such is the ironic nature of philosophy. In our quest to find answers, we often just generate more questions.

And surprise surprise, this got way bigger than we anticipated it getting so we’re going to have to split this into two.  This week, we’re giving you some basic background on tolerance, a quick dive into the first amendment as a foundational argument for, and also sometimes against, tolerance, and a quick peek into what counts as intolerant speech.

As always...

You can find our shownotes and sources here: https://firesidebreakdowns.podbean.com/p/shownotes-ep-25-foundations-of-tolerance/

You can leave us a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/fireside

And, you can find us on social media as FiresideBreakdowns

In part 2 of our series on Antifa, we're exploring the history of anti-fascist activism (and there's much more than we anticipated!).  We also spend a little time talking about the "values" of the movement and/or it's activists and look at the points of unity outlined by the Torch Network.

Plus good news, plus ALSO a black inventor to whom you may very well owe your life. 

Shownotes are here: https://firesidebreakdowns.podbean.com/p/e24-shownotes-antifa-more-history-than-we-expected/

Leave us a review here if you'd like: https://ratethispodcast.com/fireside

And find us at Fireside Breakdowns on the socials! 

Oh man.  We just jumped right into it this week.  

In this episode, we spend an hour untangling what Antifa is... and well, mostly what it isn't.  

Is is a proper noun?  A collective or plural noun?  An adjective?  

You're just going to have to listen because it's hard to explain.

As always, you can find shownotes here: https://firesidebreakdowns.podbean.com/p/e23-what-is-and-isnt-antifa/ 

You can leave us a review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/fireside

And you can find us on most social media platforms as Fireside Breakdowns.