Valar morghulis! We are clearly excited about the return of one of our favorite series, Game of Thrones. While the depth of our MAs only covered International Affairs here on Earth, we like to dabble in the politics of fictional worlds too because, you know, escapism.  In this minisode we discuss the White Savior complex. What is it? Why is it problematic? And how does it apply to the journey of Daenerys Targaryen?  Listen here Download/subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher

Here it is! Part 2 of our interview with Yousef about #BlackLivesMatter and Palestine. On Tuesday, we looked at the roots of the current events in Palestine, and we pick up where we left off to paint a picture of what the movement looks like now. We also take a closer look at the similarities between #BLM and Palestine. Thanks again to Yousef for providing such in depth information! Listen here Subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher Show Notes Photo Credit: Edgardo W. Olivera

Exciting episode(s) for you this week! Not only is this our first two-parter, but it also features our first guest interview! We start at home, in the USA, and discuss the #BlackLivesMatter movement a (relatively) new group that fights for the civil rights of Black Americans as well as raises awareness for Black LGBTI issues. Never heard of them? Well, then maybe the rock you live under is warm, toasty and full of sandwiches.  After that we interview our colleague Yousef Khalil about the human rights issues that face Palestine. In this episode Yousef sets us up with a lot of important background information on the origins and causes of the current crisis there.  We had so much great content for you all that we had to split this one in two, so we’ll be posting that on Thursday. Enjoy! Listen here See our new Show Notes page here And, as always, subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher Photo Credit: Billie Grace Ward

One of the richest experiences that travel can bring you is the gift of new alcohol (if you’re into that sort of thing) and alcohol related shenanigans. It can bring you friends, adventure, and harrowing train/bus rides the morning after. We all share personal stories about how we have approached booze-ahol on trips, and we hope you’ll share yours with us too!  Listen here Find us on iTunes and Stitcher too!

Yemen is a mess. Haven’t heard much about it in the news lately? Well, there’s only so much tragedy Western media can cover at once, we guess. As you will learn, conflict has been an unfortunate constant in this area for the past 100 years or so, and the most recent one sparked by the Arab Spring (yeah, that long ago) has been causing instability, poverty, human rights concerns, and a struggle of power between regional and international actors. To sum up, everything is garbage right now and you should care.  Listen here Subscribe and listen via iTunes and Stitcher! Sources: Photo Credit: Richard Messenger via Flickr Creative Commons Council on Foreign Relations BBC BBC BBC Business Insider Huffington Post The Independent  New York Times And Peter Hoffman’s Class Notes

In celebration of Women’s History Month, this episode focuses on women who have become political leaders, heads of state in particular.  We discuss our favorite, and not so favorite, women who are/have been in power, as well as explore how women rise to these positions. Also, do women make better leaders than men? Tune in to find out on this very special episode. Listen here Or as always subscribe/listen/subscribe/rate/subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher Sources: The New York Times The New York Times The Telegraph Wikipedia The New Yorker The New York Times Biography Nobel Committee NY Daily News Wikipedia

Loneliness is a real thing y’all, especially when you’re traveling alone or living in a new place. Lucky for you, we are all gregarious, amicable people who have tips on how to forge human connection when you’re wandering this pale blue dot. Soon you and your new travel friends will be like Lucy and Ethel, Ben and Matt, or Thelma and Louise…okay maybe not them, their trip didn’t end so well. Listen here Remember to download/subscribe on iTunes & Stitcher

In honor of Barbie’s 57th birthday, we’re putting out this episode all about our girl! Barbie not only has an international background (intergalactic, actually, since she’s also an astronaut) but this much discussed figurine is a popular subject for social commentary. Revisit our favorite teacher/superhero/legal guardian/president/computer programmer/cruise ship director/merchant/prostitute with us!  Listen here And as always check us out on iTunes and Stitcher Sources: Barbie Media Barbie History Time Time NY Times Human Barbie The Barbie Doll Test Doll Test NAACP Refinery 29 CNN Bustle Native American Barbie: The Marketing of Euro-American Desires Islamic Barbie: The Politics of Gender and Performativity Global Encounters: ‘Barbie’ in Nigerian Agbogho-mmuo Mask Context Trixie Mattel Instagram

Minisode time! In this fun-filed riff, we talk about how not to seem like an obvious American while traveling because let’s be honest, we have a tendency to stand out. Don’t blame us…blame freedom.  Listen here! Also, download/subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher!

Spoiler Alert! The answer to the title is never. Never never never never never. We delve into the cocaine trade in South and Central America, and why it is harmful beyond addiction and 70′s swinger parties. Let’s just say that there is more blood spilt beyond your gnarly nosebleed. Also, we got an interview with El Chapo because apparently anyone can! Kidding! But if you want to know what the deal is with that guy tune in. Listen here. Remember to rate/subscribe on iTunes and Stitcher Sources: US State Department National Catholic Reporter Justice in Mexico Project Small Wars Journal Drug Policy Alliance Council on Hemispheric Affairs Slate Huffington Post DEA Gloucester, MA Police Drug Treatment Program