Gadfly City

Ronald Reagan famously told Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.” But the end of the Cold War was much bigger than one speech or one president.

In this episode of Gadflies Through History, Billy O’Brien explores the stories of three men who helped transform Europe:

Lech Wałęsa, the Polish electrician who became the face of the Solidarity movement.

Václav Havel, the playwright and dissident who became one of the central figures of Czechoslovakia’s Velvet Revolution.

Helmut Kohl, the West German chancellor who helped navigate the diplomacy that led to German reunification.

We trace the rise of Solidarity in Poland, the collapse of communist rule across Eastern Europe, the Velvet Revolution, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the political negotiations that reshaped Europe.

We also go back to the beginning.

Why did the Cold War start?
Why was the Berlin Wall built?
How did nuclear weapons change the relationship between the United States and Soviet Union?
What role did proxy wars, economic pressure and popular resistance play?

The Cold War was fought in presidential offices and military command centers, but it was also fought in shipyards, streets, theaters, churches and public squares.

So who really ended it?

Powerful leaders at the top, or ordinary people who refused to accept the world they inherited?

Meet the rebels who challenged power and helped change history.

Follow us and fly away.

U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian
The Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe, 1989
https://history.state.gov/milestones/1989-1992/fall-of-communism

TIME
The History Behind the Velvet Revolution
https://time.com/5730106/velvet-revolution-history/

German Federal Government
The Chancellor Who Reunited Germany
https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/service/archive/archive/the-chancellor-who-reunited-germany-413888

Website
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Apple Podcasts
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Spotify
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Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thegadflycity/

Billy O’Brien
https://www.instagram.com/chibillyobrien/

Hosted by Billy O’Brien
Produced by Liman Hossain

This episode features a full biography of the civil rights leader, Baptist minister, and protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. who marched at Selma, built the Rainbow Coalition, ran for president in 1984 and 1988, taught a generation to chant “I am somebody,” and told America to keep hope alive: Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Watch the video here: Who Was Jesse Jackson? The Preacher Who Kept Hope Alive

For more shows and community, subscribe to Gadfly City at gadflycity.com, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Fly back soon!

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Gadfly City is a production of Gadfly City, an online magazine that publishes stories that highlight disruption and the rebel side of society. You’ll find all of these shows and games on our Substack and YouTube channel as well

Join the Gadfly City Community to get access to every article, show, and event from the Capital of Weird.

Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss the content, games, community, and more:

Substack - https://www.gadflycity.com/subscribe

Youtube -  https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyCity

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Music Credits:

Albatross by Roie Shpigler

Human-Short Version by Rex Banner

Copyright 2026 Gadfly City

In an era where cartoonish corporate villains have sprung to life across technology, healthcare, Wall Street and beyond, this tale presents an ordinary man walking the halls of a fictional company run by such a tycoon and creating a little mischief along the way. The eponymous character is a lifestyle columnist and this first volume involves his coverage of a corrupt pharmaceutical company. Follow him as he breaks bad, for good, after the outbreak of a new virus called the Sillies in The Goofy Traveler and the Silly Escapade.

Watch the video here: The Goofy Traveler Episode 2: The Costume - YouTube

This is a production of Gadfly City, an online magazine that publishes stories that highlight disruption and the rebel side of society. You’ll find all of these shows and games on our Substack and YouTube channel as well

Join the Gadfly City Community to get access to every article, show, and event from the Capital of Weird.

Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss the content, games, community, and more:

Substack - https://www.gadflycity.com/subscribe

Youtube -  https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyCity

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gadfly-city/id1891089592

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Music Credits:

Albatross by Roie Shpigler

Human-Short Version by Rex Banne

Monica Cardenas and veteran political journalist Dick Polman break down the latest developments coming out of the nation’s capital. From major policy decisions and political battles to the stories driving the news cycle, they offer insight, context, and analysis on what matters most.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/vvHepT1dMSc?si=ipRtogXmY-laeh5J

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Gadfly City Live is a production of Gadfly City, an online magazine that publishes stories that highlight disruption and the rebel side of society. You’ll find all of these shows and games on our Substack and YouTube channel as well

Join the Gadfly City Community to get access to every article, show, and event from the Capital of Weird.

Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss the content, games, community, and more:

Substack - https://www.gadflycity.com/subscribe

Youtube -  https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyCity

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gadfly-city/id1891089592

--

Music Credits:

Albatross by Roie Shpigler

Human-Short Version by Rex Banne

In an era where cartoonish corporate villains have sprung to life across technology, healthcare, Wall Street and beyond, this tale presents an ordinary man walking the halls of a fictional company run by such a tycoon and creating a little mischief along the way. The eponymous character is a lifestyle columnist and this first volume involves his coverage of a corrupt pharmaceutical company. Follow him as he breaks bad, for good, after the outbreak of a new virus called the Sillies in The Goofy Traveler and the Silly Escapade.

Watch the video here: The Goofy Traveler Episode 1: The Invitation

This is a production of Gadfly City, an online magazine that publishes stories that highlight disruption and the rebel side of society. You’ll find all of these shows and games on our Substack and YouTube channel as well

Join the Gadfly City Community to get access to every article, show, and event from the Capital of Weird.

Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss the content, games, community, and more:

Substack - https://www.gadflycity.com/subscribe

Youtube -  https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyCity

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gadfly-city/id1891089592

--

Music Credits:

Albatross by Roie Shpigler

Human-Short Version by Rex Banne

Gadfly City contributor Monica Cardenas and guest Michelle Kuppersmith, Executive Director of the Campaign for Accountability, discuss efforts to expose corruption, negligence, and unethical behavior in government and society. 

Watch the video here: UNCOVERING GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION AND MISCONDUCT

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Gadfly City Live is a production of Gadfly City, an online magazine that publishes stories that highlight disruption and the rebel side of society. You’ll find all of these shows and games on our Substack and YouTube channel as well

Join the Gadfly City Community to get access to every article, show, and event from the Capital of Weird.

Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss the content, games, community, and more:

Substack - https://www.gadflycity.com/subscribe

Youtube -  https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyCity

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gadfly-city/id1891089592

--

Music Credits:

Albatross by Roie Shpigler

Human-Short Version by Rex Banner

Show Less

In this Gadfly City pod, we test your knowledge about the weird and rebel history of the Midwest United States — including culture, people, places, and events. The game has four rounds of five questions each with increasing point values. They are designed to test even the smartest Flies among you. Fly in and see how well you stack up! For instructions and answer sheets, click here: https://www.gadflycity.com/p/arcade-g...

 For more shows and community, subscribe to Gadfly City at gadflycity.com, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Fly back soon!

Watch the video here: American Rebel Series | Arcade Gadfly Trivia Night

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Gadfly City is a production of Gadfly City, an online magazine that publishes stories that highlight disruption and the rebel side of society. You’ll find all of these shows and games on our Substack and YouTube channel as well

Join the Gadfly City Community to get access to every article, show, and event from the Capital of Weird.

Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss the content, games, community, and more:

Substack - https://www.gadflycity.com/subscribe

Youtube -  https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyCity

--

Music Credits:

Albatross by Roie Shpigler

Human-Short Version by Rex Banner

Copyright 2026 Gadfly City

Gadfly City hosts Lizabeth Yandel and Billy O'Brien rewind and talk about the movie Edward Scissorhands!  They compare it to Tim Burton's other films.  Then, Billy and Lizabeth go through all the weird bits of the movie.  Finally, they discuss the iconic character that it created.  Last Row Tickets: pop culture hot takes from the weird seats is a Gadfly City program. 

Watch the video here: Edward Scissorhands Rewind

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Gadfly City is a production of Gadfly City, an online magazine that publishes stories that highlight disruption and the rebel side of society. You’ll find all of these shows and games on our website and YouTube channel as well.

Join the Gadfly City Community to get access to every article, show, and event from the Capital of Weird.

Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss the content, games, community, and more:

Website   

YouTube    

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

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Music Credits:

Albatross by Roie Shpigler

Human-Short Version by Rex Banner

Copyright 2026 Gadfly City

In this pod, Gadfly City host Monica Cardenas and veteran political journalist Dick Polman break down the latest news, political developments, and conversations flying out of Washington.

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXgqsiZDZtU

--

Gadfly City Live is a production of Gadfly City, an online magazine that publishes stories that highlight disruption and the rebel side of society. You’ll find all of these shows and games on our Substack and YouTube channel as well

Join the Gadfly City Community to get access to every article, show, and event from the Capital of Weird.

Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss the content, games, community, and more:

Substack - https://www.gadflycity.com/subscribe

Youtube -  https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyCity

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gadfly-city/id1891089592

--

Music Credits:

Albatross by Roie Shpigler

Human-Short Version by Rex Banner

This episode features a modern retelling of David and Goliath. However, the villain here was not gigantic, except for his ego, and the hero did not slay her foe with rocks, but with her words. The battle took place in Washington D.C. and starred one of its biggest bullies opposite one of Hollywood’s most controversial writers: Joe McCarthy vs. Lillian Hellman. The victory was decisive. Its legacy was formidable.

For more shows and community, subscribe to Gadfly City at gadflycity.com, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Fly back soon!

--

Gadfly City is a production of Gadfly City, an online magazine that publishes stories that highlight disruption and the rebel side of society. You’ll find all of these shows and games on our Substack and YouTube channel as well

Join the Gadfly City Community to get access to every article, show, and event from the Capital of Weird.

Follow and subscribe so you don’t miss the content, games, community, and more:

Substack - https://www.gadflycity.com/subscribe

Youtube -  https://www.youtube.com/@GadflyCity

--

Music Credits:

Albatross by Roie Shpigler

Human-Short Version by Rex Banner

Copyright 2026 Gadfly City