The Edge with Mark Thompson

Mark Thompson welcomes back comedian and documentary filmmaker, J. Elvis Weinstein, and the two speak with political analyst, Michael Shure about the Democratic National Convention. Then, after Michael, award winning former journalist and media executive, Joe Ferullo, joins the two and talks about how the use of media in this time of COVID-19 transformed essential media aspects of that convention. Lastly, why one of the biggest stories of the week involving Russian collusion and corruption is getting so little play. 00:00-01:25 Mark hello 01:25-16:46 Michael Shure 16:46-34:16 Joe Ferullo reach the show at [email protected]

When it comes to Trump, it's all about money and The Washington Post's David Farenthold is one of our favorites when it comes to covering the part of the Trump administration that connects to money. David joins Mark to talk about the strategies that Trump has used on the media and the country and how they reflect those he used at what turned out to be the fraud that was Trump University. You can read the David Farenthold article that Mark talks about here Professor Edward Goldberg joins Mark for the second half of the show.  He says our nationalist trade policies are destroying the country and the pandemic has only hastened those realities. His book is Why Globalization Works For Amberica: How Nationalist Trade Policies Are Destroying Our Country :02:-24 David Farenthold  :24-:59 Professor Edward Goldberg

Director, writer and producer Rod Lurie is getting terrific reviews for his film, THE OUTPOST, which tells the true story of an attack on an American outpost in Afghanistan. This film is not pro-war or anti-war and doesn't have a political slant one way or another but does provide the viewer with an immersive, riveting experience. Mark talks with Rod about shooting this movie which feels all too real and how, several times, the movie almost didn't happen or was derailed. It's Rod and Mark for the entire episode. :00-01:30 Mark welcome 1:30-47:00 Mark and Rod Reach us at [email protected]

As political awareness and participation increases, Jimmy Dore is at the center of a lot of the action. Jimmy is a political activist and comic with a formidable following. Jimmy Dore joins Mark for the entire episode. :00-01:30 Mark hello 01:30-53:00 Jimmy Dore and Mark T Reach us at [email protected]

The bailout/rescue package that's poured trillions of dollars into the American economy has done so in a very specific way.  The corporate money grab is beyond anything most Americans would  imagine. The remarkable truths about the bailout are revealed by guest, David Dayen, from The American Prospect. Here's a link to David's article at prospect.org  Michael Shure kicks us off the episode with the politics and realities of life in America as COVID-19 lockdowns and Black Lives Matter unrest meet and produce uncomfortable realities in America. 00-02:00 Mark intro 2:00-29:00 Michael Shure 29:00-1:01:00 Journalist David Dayen Reach the show at [email protected]

Comedian Eddie Pepitone has been the subject of documentaries and has made his way through the comedy scene as both enormously popular with audiences and "a comic's comic". What's it like to see the live comedy scene shut down because of COVID19?  How does the comedy scene still flourish during this time of unprecedented obstacles? Eddie joins J Elvis Weinstein for the conversation. First, Michael Shure talks key political races and election politics.  The guys also remember performances from Al Pacino and the TV series, Emergency. 00-06:30 Mark on U.S. rioting 7:00-30:30 Michael Shure politics 30:30-1:08:30 Comedian Eddie Pepitone To reach the show: [email protected]

Josh Mankiewicz from Dateline NBC has the number one podcast in America right now.  It's called, MOTIVE FOR MURDER.  He takes us through some of the beats of the podcast. He talks with longtime friend, Mark Thompson, and comedian/documentary filmmaker, J.Elvis Weinstein about life as a Mankiewicz (his grandfather wrote Citizen Kane and his family is something of show business and Washington political royalty). Finally, culture blaster, Michael Snyder (culture critic for Marina Times and writer of Coastal Commuter Column) reviews entertainment picks and kicks it around with Mark and J. Elvis. 00:00-08:15 Mark and J Elvis welcome 08:15-1:01:24 Josh Maniewcz 1:01:24-1:18:46  Culture Blaster, Critic Michael Snyder  Reach the show at [email protected]

In an election season marked by new challenges created by COVID-19, Joe Biden has a challenge not unfamiliar to some high profile men:  An accusation of sexual assault. How to appropriately engage on this issue and how to campaign during a presidential election season that is unlike any other. Political analyst Michael Shure joins Mark Thompson and J. Elvis Weinstein for the conversation. :00-33:20 Mark, J Elvis and Michael Shure You can contact the show at [email protected]

Our guest, Dan Gerstein, contracted COVID-19 but added several societal layers.  Starting with his wife whose family was enduring the brunt of it in her home, Italy. He wrote about it in his NY Daily News article He talks with Mark Thompson and J Elvis Weinstein about the entire experience of the earlier days of the COVID-19 outbreak in NYC. First, Mark torments J Elvis with his new "toy" and the two review the world of presidential corona virus briefings and the magic of Huell Howser 00-2:30 Intro 2:45- 30:40 J Elvis Weinstein  31:00- 1:01:50 Dan Gerstein on COVID19 in his life Reach the show at [email protected]

Mark Thompson and J Elvis Weinstein discuss life as shut-ins and some of the news around the Covid-19 outbreak. Then, Pulitzer Prize winner and investigative journalist, David Cay Johnston on the world of Trump and money in politics.   David's website is DCreport.org Then, Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist for the Washington Post, Phillip Rucker, on his new book, A Very Stable Genius: Donald J Trump's Testing of America   :00-1:30 Mark intro 1:30-23:00 Mark and J Elvis Weinstein talk life under COVID19 23:00- 1:04:45 David Cay Johnston joins Mark and J.Elvis 1:04:45-1:41:30 Washington Post journalist, Phillip Rucker