This episode examines how mainstream American media didn’t just fail to cover the destruction of Gaza accurately, but actively participated in obscuring it. Drawing on two works released a decade apart, the 2016 documentary The Occupation of the American Mind and Adam H. Johnson’s 2026 book How to Sell a Genocide, the discussion traces how a public relations infrastructure built since the 1980s shaped Western coverage of Israel and Palestine. The conversation looks at specific journalistic patterns Johnson documents in outlets like the New York Times and CNN, including language choices, source selection, and what he calls “Moats of Rationalization.” Rather than blaming right-wing outlets, the focus lands squarely on the center-left press and the uncomfortable question of institutional complicity in shaping public understanding of mass atrocity.

In this podcast we explore the psychological toll of consuming distressing news, particularly coverage of the war in Gaza. Jason Brown and deputy editor of Consortium News Corinna Barnard with clinical psychologist Dr. Renee McCormick — examine how relentless exposure to traumatic news affects mental health.

Dr. McCormick draws on research from the American Psychological Association (APA), other research groups and her own experience as a trauma therapist to explain phenomena like secondary traumatic stress, doomscrolling, desensitization, and the “window of tolerance” — the psychological zone in which a person can process information without becoming overwhelmed or shutting down entirely. She notes that people respond to overload in one of two directions: hyperarousal (anxiety, anger, obsessive consumption) or underarousal (numbness, avoidance, apathy).

Nadia Milleron, who is running as an Independent to represent the first congressional district of Massachusetts in the US House of Representatives, speaks with her neighbors and cohosts Jason Brown and Corinna Barnard about the local and national implications of current US foreign aggressions.

This conversation starts off with the U.S. imposition of a cruel energy blockade on Cuba, moves on to focus on Israel and the unconstitutional US war on

Iran and ends up early one recent morning outside the Westover Air Reserve base in Chicopee.

Along the way, Nadia makes the case for participatory democracy, voting Independent and breaking the Democratic-Republican duopoly control over Washington.

In this podcast Jason Brown and Corinna Barnard discuss the vast and ever expanding US military budget and the proliferation of US military bases and facilities — beginning right here at home in the first congressional district of Massachusetts.

Welcome to another episode of Culture Shift, where we explore an eye-opening documentary that reveals the concealed threats associated with the U.S. military-industrial complex. Titled "Earth’s Greatest Enemy," this film is the brainchild of journalist Abby Martin and Iraq War veteran Michael Prysner. It stands apart from traditional war documentaries, presenting a compelling narrative that intertwines antiwar advocacy and climate activism. Through striking imagery and poignant personal stories, it highlights the profound toll that militarization takes on people and the planet. In this episode, we'll delve into the film's insightful portrayal of those adversely affected by U.S. military actions—ranging from veterans facing housing crises to communities impacted by police militarization. Together, we will analyze how this cinematic work aims to inspire unified efforts against a common adversary. Tune in as we peel back the layers of this essential film and discuss its significance for the antiwar and climate movements.

An official selection of the Academy Awards, From Ground Zero confronts the shattered realities of the people of Gaza and shows the challenges of rebuilding. The characters in these 22 films face their demons, forge unlikely alliances, and rediscover the strength of the human spirit. We discuss these amazing films in context with the genocide happening now.

The footage of an overzealous ICE agent killing Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis reveals the violence of the American empire turning inward to protect itself.

Cafe Palestina is a venue that screens films about Palestine to create awareness of the effects of occupational genocide there. Yet posters promoting the event are being torn down in the town of Great Barrington. This podcast explores the phenomena.

In this episode dynamic impresario and performer Alex Harvey shares his experience collecting and performing anachronistic maritime music known as Sea Shanties.

Alex is a popular traditional folklorist with a modern approach, filling rooms with his street ballads and maritime tunes through his project, Shinbone Alley. During his performances, audiences are invited to immerse themselves in the rich intercultural tapestry of 18th and 19th century sea music. This genre, with influences from distant corners of the world, was reinterpreted and woven together by sailors of diverse backgrounds both in ports and on the open water. Each tune serves as one of the earliest forms of collective healing. In this way, it's a nostalgic remedy for our chaotic modern times.

Berkshires In Solidarity with Palestine (BISP) members Christine Fulton and Jason Brown discuss the upcoming event on 9/16 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield 175 Wendell Avenue, MA 01201

Topics include, apartheid, tech warfare, US complicity, genocide and more.