The Epstein Files Book Club

In the wake of the uproar over Cornell University’s response to allegations of gang rape by fraternity members on its campus, feminist philosopher and Cornell professor Dr. Kate Manne returns to discuss what it’s like on the Ivy League university's campus now, whether the #metoo movement made any progress, and why she believes abolishing fraternities is a responsible, legitimate way to address to the campus rape epidemic.

Mentioned in this episode

More to Hate, the Kate Manne Substack

Ban the Fucking Frats by Kate Manne

NYMag: Kate Manne on Cornell 7

NYMag: How Student Journalists Broke the Cornell 7 Case

Cornell University: Cynthia Miller-Idriss on Violent Male Extremism

Kate Manne on EFBC in March 2026

Substack: Seven Good Boys by Bess Kalb

Thick by Tressie McMillan Cottom

Man Up: The New Misogyny and the Rise of Violent Male Extremism by Cynthia Miller-Idriss

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In light of the latest Jane Doe to bravely step forward with accusations of heinous rape and violence, this time against seven undergraduate fraternity members at Cornell University, we are bringing back an episode with Cornell professor and feminist philosopher Kate Manne, who painstakingly reviewed the interviews of Jane Doe 4, the woman who, says that at 13, was trafficked to Donald Trump by Jeffrey Epstein. A system that excuses sexual assault allows sexual predators into positions atop businesses, society, and governments. The Epstein network is the clearest example of the rape culture in which we live.

Mentioned in this episode

More to Hate, the Kate Manne Substack

NYMag The Cut: What it feels like at Cornell right now

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In the final part of our two-parter with independent journalist and attorney Katie Phang, who brought a historic lawsuit against the DOJ to release of all Epstein files , Phang explains why the original Epstein Files Transparency Act needs to be bolstered with the new bill — EFTA 2 — and the oversight and accountability that can come with a new Congress in January, if voters swing the balance of power back to the Democrats.

Mentioned in this episode

Katie Phang on YouTube

Katie Phang on Substack

Congress.gov: Epstein Files Transparency Act II

⁠CNN:⁠ Democrats eye a new tool to hold Trump accountable if they win the House

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Independent journalist and attorney Katie Phang brought a historic lawsuit to stand up for survivors and for the release of all Epstein files as the Epstein Files Transparency Act requires. Phang joins the show this week in part one of a two part interview, about how there must not be two tiers of justice. The self-described “gunner” gives us the state of play on her transparency push, explains why accountability and affordability are interdependent, and shares her expectations for oversight under a Democratic Congress, should Democrats take control next session.

Mentioned in this episode

Katie Phang on YouTube

Katie Phang on Substack

Congress.gov: Epstein Files Transparency Act II

Washington Post: Europeans investigating Epstein say DOJ has not agreed to requests for help

Julie K Brown Substack: The Empty Promise of the Epstein Files

CNN: Democrats eye a new tool to hold Trump accountable if they win the House

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Epstein’s most generous client, Leon Black, is suing the House Oversight committee just as lawmakers press him for nondisclosure agreements that the billionaire is refusing to share. So this week, Julie Roginsky, who helped pass two federal laws to limit the threat and power of NDAs for victims of sexual assault or harassment, joins the show to discuss the chilling effect of these agreements, why Leon Black is loathe to give them up, and how newer legislation like the Speak Out Act is intended to give victims and witnesses a voice.

Mentioned in this episode

Thomas Massie on X, on EFTA II

WSJ: Epstein “Assistant” Julia Stepanova Speaks Out

Politico: Leon Black Defies House Oversight, Sues Congress

WWLP: GOP Convention Site Redirects to Epstein Files

EFBC: Flings of Leon with William Cohan (our previous Leon Black episode)

Salty Politics (Julie Roginsky on Substack)

Congress.gov: The Speak Out Act

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The computer scientist behind Epstein-Data.com joins the show to discuss how he came to maintain, map, and make sense of the three million+ DOJ records released earlier this year, and highlights all the missing files that the public should still demand. He also takes us into his reading on Glenn and Eva Dubin. Glenn is a hedge fund guy and alleged co-conspirator to sexual trafficking and abuse. He is married to Eva, a former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein’s. Why were the Dubins so close to Jeffrey Epstein? And what are the reasons Glenn Dubin's on Rep Thomas Massie's list of folks who should be investigated and prosecuted? 

Mentioned in the episode

YouTube: Rho Khanna and Thomas Massie on Epstein Files Transparency Act II

PBS News: WATCH: Massie names 14 Epstein associates to 'shame' DOJ

ABC News: Bondi faces lawmaker grilling over Epstein files

NYT: Elite Doctors Served Jeffrey Epstein While Treating His ‘Girls’

NBC News: Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries competent to face sex trafficking trial, judge rules

Document Zero: Rye Howard-Stone on Substack

Epstein-Data.com

Ellie Leonard’s The Panicked Writer on Substack

Nobody’s Girl, Virginia Giuffre’s bestselling book

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A lot more Epstein-related files are expected soon on two fronts, and independent journalist Ellie Leonard is back on the show to explain why the unsealing of documents in the Virginia Giuffre-Ghislaine Maxwell suit could be so potentially explosive, and how they could help us move closer to accountability. Ellie also has the latest in the Katie Phang lawsuit for unredacted files, including key interviews related to Donald Trump and his alleged abuse of Jane Doe 4, a teenaged girl in the 1980s.

Mentioned in this episode

NBC: Judge Rejects Maxwell Bid to Toss Conviction

KOB-TV: New Mexico Moves to Rename Zorro Ranch Highway After Survivors

TMZ: New York Department of Health Investigating Epstein’s Doctor Network

The Lantern: Les Wexner Steps Down from Medical Center Board

EFBC: Doctors Without Boundaries (Harry Fisch Episode)

NYT: Elite Doctors Served Jeffrey Epstein While Treating His ‘Girls’

Ellie Leonard’s The Panicked Writer on Substack

Live with Katie Phang x Ellie Leonard

The Epstein Files by Julie K Brown, on Substack

Blue Amp Media

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Another trove of Epstein-related documents are set to be released soon, from the late Virginia Giuffre’s successful defamation suit against Ghislaine Maxwell. Giuffre’s widely known for her fearlessness in taking down some of the world’s most powerful people, but few knew about her private battle at home, and her painful final months in Australia. This week, Elise and Jena sit down with Australian journalists Mel Fyfe and Carla Hildebrandt to discuss Giuffre’s heroism, secret struggles, and the justice that she was ultimately seeking. 

Mentioned in this episode

NYPost: Damning New Evidence Could Be Coming

Politico: Comer Threatens Contempt in Battle with Black

James Comey’s letter to Leon Black

Courthouse News: Feds Struggle To Explain Redactions 

NewsNation: Hefner Rape Tip about Epstein Was Ignored, Playmate Alleges

Virginia: The Age and SMH Investigates

Yahoo News: Jimmy Fallon jokes about Donald Trump

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At least 22 people connected to Jeffrey Epstein have died under either somewhat suspicious or super sketchy circumstances. Among them are Epstein himself, Ghislaine Maxwell’s father, two modeling agents, and two higher-ups at Deutsche Bank. This week, writer and comedian Ginny Hogan does her reading and brings us her research on these deaths, and explains why they deserve more scrutiny (and in some cases, why they aren’t so suspicious after all).

Mentioned in this episode

Politico: Jeffrey Epstein’s Death Was Supposed To Bury The Truth

PBS: New Mexico Sues DOJ for Blocking Access to Unredacted Epstein Files

BBC: Modeling scout linked to Epstein found dead in Paris

Ginny Hogan

Obey in Advance: How to Survive (and Thrive) Under Authoritarianism 

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The Trump administration may be on the verge of a “second Epstein scandal” that could prove “worse” in some ways, according to this week’s guest, political journalist Brian Beutler. Brian, Elise and Jena discuss the alarming abuse of girls and women at the hands of right-wing influencers the Tate Brothers, the striking (and perhaps not well-known) similarities with the Epstein operation, and Trump world’s significant ties with both. 

Mentioned in this episode

Bloomberg: BofA, Chase, Deustche Bank Enable Epstein, Senator Says

Santa Fe New Mexican: New Mexico AJ Sues Todd Blanche for Epstein Records

The Guardian: DOJ Appears To Ignore New Mexico Deadline

Business Insider: How Jeffrey Epstein’s Island Became a Nightmare for Influencers

The New Yorker: Andrew Tate’s Empire of Abuse

Brian Beutler’s Substack Off Message

Politix podcast

Call Your Reps with 5Calls

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