The Cycle- On Substack

History is certainly echoing now!

Folks, I’m returning to my conversational pods with interesting people talking about interesting s**t. I’m kicking things off by living by example and doing a crossover show with THE Mr. Beat, who hosts a very popular You Tube channel.

There’s a whole world out there that doesn’t engage with or see any of the political content that are the staples of our lives.

AND that world is much, much bigger than our world.

This is why we’re seeing a concerted effort by Democrats to do something they have always feared: have real conservations with real people on media people actually watch.

Don’t forget, the average daily audience of MSNBC is 700,000 people. That’s about .000000001% of the country watching Deadline, in case you’re wondering why people voted for fascism.

In fact, on Monday you’re going to get a very important announcement about the future of The Cycle and the cool s**t we’re going to be dropping as the year progresses.

Anyhoo, Mr. Beat was kind enough to come have a conversation with me about what my new major thesis: American history is actually just one book with different chapters, those chapters being:

* The Great Compromise (AKA: The Constitution

* The Expansion of the American West

* Civil War

* End of Reconstruction and the introduction of Jim Crow

* The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s

ANNNNDDDD Chapter 6: Whatever the F**k it is That This MAGA Thing is Going to End With.

Because that book is still be written. Right now. By us.

Now, before any of you get too excited about that you should know this is what I’m noodling on in terms of my next book proposal: preemptively titled as Living History. Once I go to sell it, it will end up with a 15 word subtitle so I’m going to enjoy my two word title until they pay me money to get over it.

As subscribers to The Cycle y’all are the very first people to hear about this new project which is still in its early planning stages.

Back to Mr. Beat, who figured out he could make more money swinging history videos on You Tube than he made after 11 years of being a high school history teacher (which you should read as a testament to how shitty teacher pay it is).

He is also a published author of The Power of Our Supreme Court: How Supreme Court Cases Shape Democracy and you should check it out!

I hope you enjoy our crossover conversation!

You can subscribe to Mr. Beats You Tube You right here!

AND of course you can share and subscribe to The Cycle here!

Did you learn something new from today’s conversation? Don’t be a knowledge hoarder!! Hit share!

Do you appreciate my fusion of political science, data, history, economics, and culture?? Subscribe now!!!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

This week Rachel and Aaron investigate the three words that hit hardest from Donald Trump’s recent interview on Meet the Press, and the one word missing from the New York Times’s editorial criticizing his first 100 days. Plus the Lord of the Shadows, Stephen Miller, wants you to know MAGA has BIG plans for your children and grandchildren. Don’t miss an eye-opening comparison between Trump’s “Lord of Shadows” and the Nazi Party’s youth indoctrination programs.

LINKS:

* NBC’s Meet the Press: Full interview with Donald Trump

* NBC News: Fact-checking Donald Trump’s May interview with ‘Meet the Press’

* 60 Minutes: How law firms targeted by Trump are responding to White House pressure

* Marc Elias: Democracy Docket

* SNL: ‘Lord of the Shadows’

* Stephen Miller: ‘Children will be taught to love America’

* New York Times: Editorial: There Is a Way Forward: How to Defeat Trump’s Power Grab

* Mike Pence Receives JFK Profile in Courage Award

* Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

* The Cycle on Substack

Love This is America? Tell someone else you love about it by hitting the share button!

This is America thanks our paid subscribers and urges you to consider supporting independent media by upgrading to a paid subscription today!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

As another texting scandal jolts the Pentagon into “full-blown meltdown,” Rachel earns national attention for her internet sleuthing skills and gets vindicated in the aftermath of the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Plus, she and Aaron take a close look at the first rule in fighting tyranny… and share a masterclass from a European internet troll.

LINKS:

* Politico Opinion: Former Top Pentagon Spokesperson Details ‘Month From Hell’ Inside the Agency

* The Daily Beast: Rachel catches bad White House photoshop job

* George Carlin: Methods of Execution

* SplitTicket.org tweet: The story of Wisconsin's Supreme Court election was turnout

* Timothy Snyder on Substack: Obeying in Advance

* European Parliament Member Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy trolls Trump’s New York

* Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

* The Cycle on Substack

The Cycle- On Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

This week Rachel and Aaron change up the format to take a deep dive into the arrest and deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, imprisoned in El Salvador without due process despite a U.S. Supreme Court order to “facilitate” his return.

The case has chilling parallels to what happened in Germany between 1933 and 1945. This is a warning from history worth understanding.

In Nazi Germany the Gestapo didn't even have to watch everyone: your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and even family members had the power to destroy you. Much of the terror came from not knowing, you know, who was watching or listening. History doesn't replicate like DNA but it does repeat.

LINKS

* The Persecution and Murder of the European Jews by Nazi Germany, 1933–1945

* Full news conference: Trump and President Bukele of El Salvador

* Rep. Steven Horsford blasts U.S. trade rep after Trump tariff pause

* Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

Trump’s planned destruction of America’s economy is a pivotal political moment. This week Rachel and Aaron offer advice for “normies” who are just now waking up to the mess. Plus, a reading of the tea leaves after the recent special elections, how to send us your best signs for this month’s next nationwide protests, and why was this week’s show a little late? We’ve got an exciting reason!

LINKS:

* The 50501 Movement (April 19th protests)

* Sen. Rand Paul’s resolution to “Reassert Congressional Authority Over Tax Policy”

* Project 2025 Tracker

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

It's Election Day! Will it be a difficult one for MAGA in Wisconsin and Florida? Plus, Rachel and Aaron get into the nitty gritty over Third Term Gate… and Signal Gate. The Trump Tax, er “Liberation Day,” prompts Aaron to move up his car shopping timeline. Musk gives away millions. And what's the one issue voters associate most with the Democratic Party? The answer may surprise you...

LINKS:

* NBC News: Trump won’t rule out seeking a third term in the White House

* The Intercept: In Trump’s America, You Can Be Disappeared for Writing an Op-Ed

* The Tufts Daily: Op-ed coauthored by Rümeysa Öztürk

* The Cycle on Substack: Voters Have No Idea What Democrats Stand For

* The New York Times: Marine Le Pen Barred From French Presidential Run After Embezzlement Ruling

* Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

This week Rachel and Aaron chase the firetrucks to the dumpster fire of the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress who’re trying to defend it. How do you explain an unprecedented security breach involving secret war plans accidentally shared with a news editor? Where do voters draw a line in the sand? Plus, a closer look at why Elon Musk is trying to break the Overton Window. And are spring breakers really this… dumb?

LINKS:

* The Atlantic: The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans

* New York Times: Musk Is Positioned to Profit Off Billions in New Government Contracts

* Campaign Website: Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court

* Greenland’s Prime Minister: “Taking over our country over our heads”

* CNN: Angry voters confront GOP lawmaker at town hall in Washington

* LibertyHangout.tv on YouTube: Spring Breakers Fail American History Trivia

* Rachel at The Cycle: What is the Overton Window and Why is Elon Musk Breaking It?

* Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

This week Rachel and Aaron explore the good, the bad and the ugly. Why is Schumer’s vote to keep the government open an important political move? What prompted a pissed-off federal judge to issue an order from the bench? And what do the latest poll numbers mean for Trump 2.0? Plus: adios, habeas corpus. And we drop into a fiery town hall meeting in North Carolina’s bright red 11th Congressional District.

LINKS:

* Rachel on The Cycle: Never Interrupt Your Enemy When They Are Making a Mistake

* MSNBC: ‘A sham: Federal judge blasts Trump admin on improper firings of federal workers; orders rehiring

* Quinnipiac University Poll: Voters’ Ratings on Economy and Trump Dip

* NBC March 2025 Poll

* Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

Do you like This is America? This podcast needs your support to continue so please consider becoming a PAID subscriber today!

If a podcast falls in the woods and there is no one to hear it, does it still make a sound? I’d argue no, it needs ears! Help us find some by sharing this pod with your own network!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

As the Trump administration tanks the stock market and sends prices soaring even higher, Rachel and Aaron examine the stupid in “it’s the economy, stupid.” Europe reconsiders a new world leader while here at home, Republican politicians become snowflakes. Plus, a chilling observation from the New York Times’ chief White House correspondent, and how would Rachel have responded to Trump’s boring Joint Address to Congress?

Do you appreciate my fusion of political science, history, data, and current events? I can’t make this content without YOUR support. Support Indie media by subscribing to The Cycle- On

Share the gift of knowledge to someone who needs it!

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecycle.substack.com/subscribe

This week Rachel and Aaron cut through the noise as Elon's "Chainsaw for Democracy" cuts thousands of federal jobs, and as Steve "Prison Toady" Bannon massacres the Constitution--surprising even a fellow neo-Nazi. Trump's honeymoon is over though, according to public polling (surprise! Americans don't seem to care about DEI). And members of Congress face the music at public town halls, even in deep red districts.

LINKS:

* NPR: DOGE released data about federal contract savings. It doesn't add up

* Washington Post poll: Many of Trump’s early actions are unpopular

* CNN Poll: Americans worried by Trump’s push to expand power

* Wyomingite gives master class in "pivot, belittle, attack"

* Alarming scene from Republic of Gilead (Coeur d'Alene, ID)

* Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecycle.substack.com/subscribe