Fortress On A Hill (FOH) Podcast

I picked a great classic FOH episode to share with you all, especially with the ongoing Israeli sieges in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.

Ross Caputi and Scott Spaulding join us to discuss The Sacking of Fallujah, both the event and the book which Ross co-wrote.; Fallujah is seen by the American empire as a great victory over the burgeoning Sunni insurgency during the early years of Operation Iraqi Freedom, but for the people of Fallujah and their descendants, it is nothing less than the entire destruction and poisoning of their people and land. Birth defects are rampant among the population, spurred by the use of heavy munitions like white phosphorus, depleted uranium, and thermobaric weapons, which have destroyed the environment for generations.

Ross' book, The Sacking of Fallujah: A People's History, is a great primer on the subject, as well as a detailed microcosm of the war in Iraq and its tactics. I consider it a must-buy.

Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com

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A special thanks to our Patreon honorary producers – Fahim’s Everyone Dream, Eric Phillips, Paul Appel, Julie Dupree, Thomas Benson, Janet Hanson, Ren jacob, and Helge Berg. You all are the engine that helps us power the podcast. Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit https://paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Fortress On A Hill is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson, Danny Sjursen, Keagan Miller, Jovanni Reyes, Shiloh Emelein, Monisha Rios, and MIke James. https://bit.ly/3yeBaB9

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks. Click here for Clifton’s Patreon page: https://bit.ly/3h7Ni0Z

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL: https://bit.ly/2U8qMfn

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Jovanni and Monisha are joined by Dr. Bahman Azad, President of the United States Peace Council, who shares his experiences as an international election observer in Venezuela. They explore the complexities of Venezuela's electoral system, the effects of U.S. sanctions, and U.S. interventionism, comparing the situation in Venezuela to those in Nicaragua, Cuba, and other nations resisting U.S. influence.

Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com

Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to leave us a review?! https://lovethepodcast.com/fortressonahill

Email us at [email protected]

Check out our online store on Spreadshirt.com. T-shirts, cell phone covers, mugs, etc.: https://bit.ly/3qD63MW

Not a contributor on Patreon? Sign up to be one of our patrons today! – https://www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our Patreon honorary producers – Fahim’s Everyone Dream, Eric Phillips, Paul Appel, Julie Dupree, Thomas Benson, Janet Hanson, Ren jacob, and Helge Berg. You all are the engine that helps us power the podcast. Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit https://paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Fortress On A Hill is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson, Danny Sjursen, Keagan Miller, Jovanni Reyes, Shiloh Emelein, and Monisha Rios. https://bit.ly/3yeBaB9

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks. Click here for Clifton’s Patreon page: https://bit.ly/3h7Ni0Z

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL: https://bit.ly/2U8qMfn

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Jovanni and Mike discuss the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine and its controversial principles with guest Nina Ng, an aid worker from Gaza. The conversation explores historical interventions under R2P, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and inconsistencies in international responses to conflicts. Nina shares her experiences conducting operations of her NGO, Help Me Live USA, while highlighting the immense challenges faced in Gaza. The episode also delves into the global media's portrayal of the conflict, the effect of international interventions, and the personal impacts of prolonged trauma on those living and working in war zones.

Nina Ng is an American nurse, humanitarian health care leader, and founder of the NGO Help Me Live USA. She has over 14 years of experience in various sectors, including emergency nursing, emergency management, both in New York City hospitals and global conflict zones, hospitals administration,  humanitarian  Currently, she  and her non profit organization operate in Gaza to provide aid and are committed to this mission for the next six months.

Nina has served in other combat zones and refugee crisis zones with her NGO in places like Ukraine, in Mosul, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Haiti, Bangladesh, and Mexico.

Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com

Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to leave us a review?! https://lovethepodcast.com/fortressonahill

Email us at [email protected]

Check out our online store on Spreadshirt.com. T-shirts, cell phone covers, mugs, etc.: https://bit.ly/3qD63MW

Not a contributor on Patreon? Sign up to be one of our patrons today! – https://www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our Patreon honorary producers – Fahim’s Everyone Dream, Eric Phillips, Paul Appel, Julie Dupree, Thomas Benson, Janet Hanson, Ren jacob, and Helge Berg. You all are the engine that helps us power the podcast. Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit https://paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Fortress On A Hill is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson, Danny Sjursen, Keagan Miller, Jovanni Reyes, Shiloh Emelein, and Monisha Rios. https://bit.ly/3yeBaB9

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks. Click here for Clifton’s Patreon page: https://bit.ly/3h7Ni0Z

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL: https://bit.ly/2U8qMfn

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Jovanni hosts journalist and author Xelena González, to discuss her experiences in Palestine, performing anti-war plays and meeting Palestinian-American diaspora folks in San Antonio, and the personal backlash she’s received as a journalist covering the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Xelena González is a journalist graduating from Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Now she is an author of children's books, poet, storyteller, essayist, and creator of the curative card deck Lotería Remedios.  She conducts workshops on radical self love in other disciplines. Selena has received numerous awards for her books, such as the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award, the American Indian Youth Literature Honor Award, and the Pura Belpré Illustrator Award.

Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com

Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to leave us a review?! https://lovethepodcast.com/fortressonahill

Email us at [email protected]

Check out our online store on Spreadshirt.com. T-shirts, cell phone covers, mugs, etc.: https://bit.ly/3qD63MW

Not a contributor on Patreon? Sign up to be one of our patrons today! – https://www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our Patreon honorary producers – Fahim’s Everyone Dream, Eric Phillips, Paul Appel, Julie Dupree, Thomas Benson, Janet Hanson, Ren jacob, and Helge Berg. You all are the engine that helps us power the podcast. Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit https://paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Fortress On A Hill is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson, Danny Sjursen, Keagan Miller, Jovanni Reyes, Shiloh Emelein, and Monisha Rios. https://bit.ly/3yeBaB9

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks. Click here for Clifton’s Patreon page: https://bit.ly/3h7Ni0Z

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL: https://bit.ly/2U8qMfn

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Suzanne Gordon and Jasper Craven from the Veterans Health Care Policy Institute join Henri to discuss critical issues surrounding VA policy, particularly privatization. The discussion highlights the staffing shortages in the VA, the implications of the Veterans Choice and Accountability Act, and the complications arising from Project 2025, including its policies on privatization and cuts in service-related benefits and care, alongside the challenges around the PACT Act and the influx of for-profit entities exploiting veterans' claims. Additionally, they address abortion services and transgender care in the VA, emphasizing the larger agenda behind Project 2025 and the need to preserve the comprehensive VA healthcare system.

Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com

Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to leave us a review?! https://lovethepodcast.com/fortressonahill

Email us at [email protected]

Check out our online store on Spreadshirt.com. T-shirts, cell phone covers, mugs, etc.: https://bit.ly/3qD63MW

Not a contributor on Patreon? Sign up to be one of our patrons today! – https://www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our Patreon honorary producers – Fahim’s Everyone Dream, Eric Phillips, Paul Appel, Julie Dupree, Thomas Benson, Janet Hanson, Ren jacob, and Helge Berg. You all are the engine that helps us power the podcast. Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit https://paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Fortress On A Hill is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson, Danny Sjursen, Keagan Miller, Jovanni Reyes, Shiloh Emelein, and Monisha Rios. https://bit.ly/3yeBaB9

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks. Click here for Clifton’s Patreon page: https://bit.ly/3h7Ni0Z

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL: https://bit.ly/2U8qMfn

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Jovanni is joined by Lia Tarachansky, an Israeli-Canadian journalist and filmmaker.  Lia shares her journey from being born in Soviet Ukraine to her family's move to Israel and later to Canada, her career in journalism, and her engagement in Palestinian solidarity work. The discussion delves into the complex layers of the Israel-Palestine conflict, systemic discrimination, and the role of media in decolonizing narratives. Tarchansky also speaks about her latest academic work focusing on the use of augmented reality to bring Palestinian history to Israeli consciousness and reflects on the growing anti-Zionist Jewish movements.

Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com

Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to leave us a review?! https://lovethepodcast.com/fortressonahill

Email us at [email protected]

Check out our online store on Spreadshirt.com. T-shirts, cell phone covers, mugs, etc.: https://bit.ly/3qD63MW

Not a contributor on Patreon? Sign up to be one of our patrons today! – https://www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our Patreon honorary producers – Fahim’s Everyone Dream, Eric Phillips, Paul Appel, Julie Dupree, Thomas Benson, Janet Hanson, Ren jacob, and Helge Berg. You all are the engine that helps us power the podcast. Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit https://paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Fortress On A Hill is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson, Danny Sjursen, Keagan Miller, Jovanni Reyes, Shiloh Emelein, and Monisha Rios. https://bit.ly/3yeBaB9

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks. Click here for Clifton’s Patreon page: https://bit.ly/3h7Ni0Z

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL: https://bit.ly/2U8qMfn

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Jovonni and “Mia” discuss how America's focus on global dominance affects its citizens. “Mia” shares her struggles with the U.S. healthcare system after a lung cancer diagnosis. The discussion highlights various crises like infrastructure, healthcare, and housing, exacerbated by political neglect and resource allocation for overseas conflicts, including critiques of both major political parties for failing to address these pressing issues while spending extravagantly on international interventions.

Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com

Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to leave us a review?! https://lovethepodcast.com/fortressonahill

Email us at [email protected]

Check out our online store on Spreadshirt.com. T-shirts, cell phone covers, mugs, etc.: https://bit.ly/3qD63MW

Not a contributor on Patreon? Sign up to be one of our patrons today! – https://www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our Patreon honorary producers – Fahim’s Everyone Dream, Eric Phillips, Paul Appel, Julie Dupree, Thomas Benson, Janet Hanson, Ren jacob, and Helge Berg. You all are the engine that helps us power the podcast. Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit https://paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Fortress On A Hill is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson, Danny Sjursen, Keagan Miller, Jovanni Reyes, Shiloh Emelein, and Monisha Rios. https://bit.ly/3yeBaB9

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks. Click here for Clifton’s Patreon page: https://bit.ly/3h7Ni0Z

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL: https://bit.ly/2U8qMfn

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Jovanni and Shiloh are joined by Levi and Rogue to discuss their roles at campus protests in Michigan and the larger student-led protests across the US in the now 268-day-long siege on Gaza.  The discussion covers the parallels of student-led protests reminiscent of the Vietnam War era, their demands for divestment from Israeli apartheid, increased Jewish participation in the anti-Zionist struggle,  and the responses from university administrations. 

Levi is a student at the University of Michigan, an Air Force veteran, and a Quaker. Levi is involved with the Divestment Coalition at the university, the TAHRIR Coalition, Levy was a participant at the U.M. encampment from April until the 21st of May.

My name is Rogue, I’m a political artist and activist in the city they call Detroit.  I’m affiliated with an Anarchist Artist Collective based in Detroit that is focused on queer liberation. I was a participant in the Wayne State University encampment as an autonomous person. On May 30th the University Police launched a raid against the encampment at 5 am. I was off-site at the time and returned to a small protest forming on Anthony Wayne Drive, we witnessed cops hiding badges and numbers, ripping the hijabs off several women when they violently attacked a group of protestors.

Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com

Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to leave us a review?! https://lovethepodcast.com/fortressonahill

Email us at [email protected]

Check out our online store on Spreadshirt.com. T-shirts, cell phone covers, mugs, etc.: https://bit.ly/3qD63MW

Not a contributor on Patreon? Sign up to be one of our patrons today! – https://www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our Patreon honorary producers – Fahim’s Everyone Dream, Eric Phillips, Paul Appel, Julie Dupree, Thomas Benson, Janet Hanson, Ren jacob, and Helge Berg. You all are the engine that helps us power the podcast. Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit https://paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Fortress On A Hill is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson, Danny Sjursen, Keagan Miller, Jovanni Reyes, Shiloh Emelein, and Monisha Rios. https://bit.ly/3yeBaB9

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks. Click here for Clifton’s Patreon page: https://bit.ly/3h7Ni0Z

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL: https://bit.ly/2U8qMfn

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Jovanni and Keagan join About Face folks Jack Tucker, Rachell Tucker, and Ramon Mejia to discuss the self-immolation of Aaron Bushnell, the historical context of self-immolation as a form of protest, and the mainstream media’s pathological reaction to it.

Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com

Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to leave us a review?! https://lovethepodcast.com/fortressonahill

Email us at [email protected]

Check out our online store on Spreadshirt.com. T-shirts, cell phone covers, mugs, etc.: https://bit.ly/3qD63MW

Not a contributor on Patreon? Sign up to be one of our patrons today! – https://www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our Patreon honorary producers – Fahim’s Everyone Dream, Eric Phillips, Paul Appel, Julie Dupree, Thomas Benson, Janet Hanson, Ren jacob, Scott Spaulding, spooky Tooth, and Helge Berg. You all are the engine that helps us power the podcast. Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit https://paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Fortress On A Hill is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson, Keagan Miller, Jovanni Reyes, Shiloh Emelein, and Monisha Rios. https://bit.ly/3yeBaB9

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks. Click here for Clifton’s Patreon page: https://bit.ly/3h7Ni0Z

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL: https://bit.ly/2U8qMfn

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Jovanni sits down with independent journalist Olesya Orlenko, a Russian historian, who provides on-the-ground perspectives from Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.  They discuss the roots of the conflict tracing back to the 2014 coup in Ukraine, the role of Western media in shaping narratives, and the views from both Russian and Ukrainian sides.

Olesya Orlenko is a Russian historian, researcher, and reporter. She studied at the Institute of Russian and Archive in Russia, History Archive Russia, and at the National Charter School in France. Her interest includes World War II, Nazi genocide and extermination policy, history of the far right movement, and theories in France.

Since 2014, Melissa has been closely following events in the Donbass province and has traveled to the war zone several times to gather facts of crimes committed by the Ukrainian army [00:03:00] against the inhabitants of the UNESCO and Lugansk regions. She became a journalist in 2016 and has been reporting on such facts since.

Olesya is an author, documentarian, and founder of the Russian Society of Friends of L’Humanité, a French left wing newspaper.

Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com

Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to leave us a review?! https://lovethepodcast.com/fortressonahill

Email us at [email protected]

Check out our online store on Spreadshirt.com. T-shirts, cell phone covers, mugs, etc.: https://bit.ly/3qD63MW

Not a contributor on Patreon? Sign up to be one of our patrons today! – https://www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our Patreon honorary producers – Fahim’s Everyone Dream, Eric Phillips, Paul Appel, Julie Dupree, Thomas Benson, Janet Hanson, Ren jacob, Scott Spaulding, spooky Tooth, and Helge Berg. You all are the engine that helps us power the podcast. Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?! Visit https://paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Fortress On A Hill is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson, Keagan Miller, Jovanni Reyes, Shiloh Emelein, and Monisha Rios. https://bit.ly/3yeBaB9

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks. Click here for Clifton’s Patreon page: https://bit.ly/3h7Ni0Z

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL: https://bit.ly/2U8qMfn

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.