EP:7 - [GUEST] Nick Cruse : From Car Salesman to Revolutionary Voice

What happens when a car salesman with a sharp eye for exploitation becomes one of America’s most uncompromising independent journalists?

Nick Cruse, founder of the Revolutionary Blackout Network, takes us on his extraordinary journey from Kansas City car lots to becoming a fierce and unapologetic voice in independent media.

Cruse recounts the pivotal moment that set everything in motion: a viral article he wrote criticizing neoliberalism’s devastating impact on Black communities—an article that caught the attention of Dr. Cornel West. Disillusioned by the broken promises of Barack Obama—who bailed out Wall Street while Black homeowners lost everything—Cruse shifted toward radical politics and a deep commitment to building alternatives beyond the two-party system.

This conversation pulls no punches. Cruse offers a scathing critique of what he calls the “Black misleadership class,” especially members of the Congressional Black Caucus who, in his view, have become enablers of U.S. militarism while ignoring the needs of their communities. “Emanuel Cleaver is my congressperson,” Cruse explains. “He never does town halls. He’s a ghost—just there to give the military-industrial complex the vote it needs.”

Cruse doesn’t waste time chasing reforms in a corrupted system. Instead, he champions mutual aid networks as the true foundation for revolutionary change. “Mutual aid is about building a structure of resistance so you can stand outside the system,” he says, drawing inspiration from historical movements—from Lenin’s newspapers to the Black Panthers’ pamphlets—as blueprints for self-sustaining activism.

What sets Cruse apart is his steadfast dedication to principle over profit. He’s turned down opportunities to join mainstream media or enter politics, choosing instead to build his own platform and speak uncomfortable truths without bending to partisan pressures. His story is a powerful reminder that integrity still matters—especially when it comes at a personal cost.

Join us for this thought-provoking conversation on media, politics, and the urgent need to build something better beyond a broken system. Subscribe and share to support bold voices that challenge the status quo and dare to imagine a different future.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to Nick Cruse

2:13 Nick's Journey Into Independent Media

7:09 Disillusionment with Obama and Electoral Politics

15:18 Black Congressional Caucus and Political Representation

22:34 Building Revolutionary Mutual Aid Systems

30:40 AIPAC Influence and Anti-War Movement

38:40 Grassroots Politics Beyond Party Lines

51:42 Independent Media Business Model

56:08 Choosing Integrity Over Establishment Media

Our theme music, Adventures In Jazz, was used with permission. Composed and performed by Bob Mamet.

EP:6 - [GUEST] - Ray McGovern - Inside the CIA: A Truth-Telling Journey

Ray McGovern takes us behind the closed doors of America's most secretive agency in a conversation that unravels decades of intelligence service from an insider's perspective. As a former CIA analyst who prepared daily briefings for five U.S. presidents, McGovern illuminates the structural flaws within the intelligence community that continue to shape global politics today.

The conversation begins with McGovern explaining the CIA's origins under President Truman in 1947 and the fateful decision to combine intelligence assessment with covert operations under one roof. This "structural fault," as McGovern describes it, created an environment where honest analysis could be corrupted by operational agendas. He vividly describes the physical turnstiles that literally separated the two divisions within CIA headquarters—analysts couldn't access operations, and operations often proceeded without being informed by accurate intelligence.

McGovern doesn't shy away from confronting the CIA's darker chapters. From overthrowing democratically elected governments in Iran and Guatemala to serve corporate interests, to intelligence manipulation during the Iraq War, he traces how the agency has often strayed from its founding mission. His personal experience working under CIA Director Bill Casey during the Reagan administration reveals how political pressure can distort intelligence findings, especially regarding adversaries like Russia.

The most compelling moments come when McGovern connects historical patterns to current events. His analysis of recent drone strikes on Russian military bases and the relationship between Presidents Trump and Putin offers rare perspective on how intelligence considerations shape international relations. McGovern introduces his concept of the "Mickey Mat"—Military-Industrial-Media-Academia-Think Tank complex—to explain why peaceful relations with countries like Russia face such fierce institutional resistance.

Whether discussing the Kennedy assassination from his unique vantage point or examining today's geopolitical flashpoints, McGovern makes a powerful case that America's intelligence apparatus often serves interests beyond national security. His reflections challenge American's to question official narratives and consider the hidden forces that drive conflict and prevent peace.

Chapter

0:00 Meeting Ray McGovern, CIA Veteran

2:04 CIA Origins and Intelligence vs Operations

9:27 When Analysis Gets Corrupted

17:14 Corporate Influence on Intelligence

25:12 Ukraine Escalation and Trump-Putin Relations

33:59 Profiteering and War Economics

43:36 JFK Assassination: Inside Perspective

57:51 Final Thoughts on Current Events

Our theme music, Adventures In Jazz, was used with permission. Composed and performed by Bob Mamet.

When Jenin Younes saw government censorship machinery ramping up during the pandemic, she knew she had to act. Once an appellate public defender with "leftish" leanings, Younes witnessed firsthand how questioning lockdown policies transformed her from a respected legal professional into someone whose views were suddenly considered dangerous.

Her journey took an unexpected turn when an essay she wrote about the harms of lockdowns on poor communities couldn't find a home in traditional left-wing publications. This led her to connections with prominent scientists including Martin Kulldorff and Jay Bhattacharya, who would later author the controversial Great Barrington Declaration. As social media censorship intensified, Younes found herself drawn into constitutional law's most pressing battle - government influence over online speech.

The evidence Younes and her colleagues uncovered in Missouri v. Biden was stunning. Regular meetings between government officials and social media executives. Direct threats of regulatory consequences. Explicit demands to remove specific posts. "They would pick up the phone and threaten them. 'Why is this post still up?'" she explains. Despite victories in lower courts, the Supreme Court ultimately dismissed the case on technical standing grounds - a pattern Yunus sees repeated throughout constitutional history when the Court faces politically inconvenient facts.

Perhaps most troubling is how quickly free speech principles are abandoned when politically expedient. Younes notes that many of the same people who fought against COVID censorship now advocate for restricting pro-Palestinian speech. As someone with Palestinian heritage, she provides a unique perspective on how fear drives authoritarian impulses across the political spectrum. "The lesson I've learned over the past five years is that maybe the majority of people really have authoritarian tendencies, especially when they're scared," she reflects.

This conversation with hosts Leonard Goodman and Patrick Sullivan offers a masterclass in constitutional principles and a warning about the fragility of free expression. As Younes demonstrates, the First Amendment's protection doesn't depend on the identity or status of the speaker - it's a restriction on government power that benefits everyone. Watch now to understand how censorship tools created for one crisis inevitably find new targets when power changes hands.

Free speech stands as the indispensable cornerstone of democracy, yet across Europe, this fundamental right faces unprecedented challenges. British political analyst Alexander Mercouris joins us to unravel the alarming patterns of censorship and democratic backsliding sweeping the continent.

Drawing from his extensive experience as co-host of The Duran, Mercouris takes us behind the headlines to expose troubling developments – from British authorities detaining critics and confiscating their electronic devices to the shocking cancellation of election results in Romania when anti-NATO candidates gained traction. These aren't isolated incidents but part of a coordinated effort to control narratives and limit public discourse on crucial issues, particularly regarding foreign policy and the Ukraine conflict.

Perhaps most revealing is Mercouris's analysis of how Europe's political landscape transformed. The traditional left, once the stalwart defender of free speech and workers' rights, has virtually disappeared. In its absence, politics operates within an increasingly narrow right-wing framework where questioning orthodoxies brands one a heretic. This ideological homogenization manifests in eerily synchronized media coverage, with newspapers across countries publishing nearly identical editorials using matching phrases – clear evidence of unseen mechanisms directing public discourse.

Yet amid this troubling landscape, Mercouris finds reason for optimism in the growing audience for independent voices. His own daily broadcasts reach approximately 100,000 viewers, demonstrating a hunger for authentic analysis. The current system's unsustainability, combined with the inherent political intelligence of ordinary citizens, suggests that meaningful change isn't just possible but inevitable.

If you value democracy and free expression, this conversation offers crucial insights into the forces reshaping Europe's political reality and what it means for free societies everywhere. Subscribe now and join the conversation about protecting our most essential freedoms.

Ralph Nader delivers a powerful wake-up call about the state of American democracy while offering a surprisingly hopeful path forward. The renowned consumer advocate and political activist doesn't mince words about our current predicament: corporate interests have captured Congress, disconnecting our representatives from the will of the people. Yet his message isn't one of despair, but of untapped potential.

Drawing from decades of successful activism, Nader reveals a startling truth – it has never taken more than 1% of Americans to create meaningful social change. "We got legislation through in the 60s and 70s with just 1000 people around the country," he explains, outlining how a relatively small number of organized citizens could transform American politics by establishing "Congress Watch" groups in every district.

The conversation moves through fascinating territory as Nader analyzes why civic engagement has declined. Economic pressures force many Americans to work multiple jobs, leaving little energy for political participation. The constant distraction of screens further erodes civic muscle. Most devastating is how many citizens have internalized a sense of powerlessness – "I'm a nobody," they tell him – which his new book "Civic Self-Respect" directly challenges.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is Nader's specific, actionable vision. He doesn't just criticize the system but offers a concrete blueprint for how ordinary citizens can reclaim their democratic power. By summoning representatives to town meetings where citizens set the agenda, these watchdog groups could transform the relationship between voters and elected officials. "If there's one thing members of Congress want more than corporate campaign money," Nader concludes, "it's your vote."

Ready to discover how we can rebuild American democracy from the ground up? Watch now and be inspired by one of America's most effective change-makers as he shares wisdom gained from a lifetime of successful activism and civic engagement.

What makes a journalist brave enough to challenge the narratives that power uses to justify war? Aaron Maté, our very first guest, exemplifies this rare courage as he breaks down how propaganda manufactures consent for military action around the world.

Aaron takes us through the current situation in Gaza, where Netanyahu's government continues its starvation siege with full U.S. support after derailing a ceasefire agreement. With remarkable clarity, he dissects the lurid allegations about October 7th—beheaded babies, mass rapes, and other horrific claims that lacked forensic evidence but effectively silenced diplomatic solutions. Drawing on historical precedents from Iraq's incubator babies to Libya's Viagra-fueled rape allegations, Aaron demonstrates how emotionally charged accusations consistently precede military intervention.

The conversation goes deeper as Aaron shares his experience challenging the Syria chemical weapons narrative and reveals how OPCW whistleblowers were systematically silenced when their findings contradicted the story used to justify Western intervention. Perhaps most compelling is Aaron's personal journey sacrificing career advancement for journalistic integrity during Russiagate, when he recognized that challenging the dominant narrative might end his mainstream prospects but was essential for truth.

As a Jewish journalist raised by a Holocaust survivor father who became anti-Zionist, Aaron brings nuanced perspective to his reporting on Israel-Palestine. His ability to question Israeli state actions while valuing his Jewish identity illustrates the complex relationship many American Jews now navigate, especially in the wake of Gaza.

For anyone troubled by how easily societies embrace war and silence dissent, this conversation offers crucial insights into the machinery of consent. Aaron's approach—demanding evidence before accepting claims that lead to military action—provides a vital framework for responsible citizenship in our fractured information landscape. Listen now to understand why speaking truth to power still matters, perhaps more than ever.

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Freedom of speech is under unprecedented attack. From algorithmic suppression to outright censorship, authentic voices face mounting barriers to reaching audiences with information that challenges powerful interests. That's why Integrity Media has launched the Unfettered Speech Podcast.

Meet the hosts of Unfettered Speech, Patrick Sullivan & Leonard Goodman.

Our journey begins with personal awakenings. Leonard's decades as a federal criminal defense attorney revealed how justice is applied selectively, protecting the well-connected while aggressively targeting the powerless. From the War on Drugs that devastated communities of color to the 2008 financial crisis where banking executives received bailouts while minor players faced prosecution, the pattern became undeniable. For Pat, the 2020 pandemic exposed how quickly questioning certain narratives could get someone labeled dangerous, censored, or ostracized from public discourse - a shocking shift that felt reminiscent of authoritarian regimes.

These experiences led us to create Integrity Media, a non-profit supporting independent voices speaking truth regardless of political alignment. We aren't interested in partisan talking points or corporate-approved perspectives - both major political parties ultimately answer to the same powerful donors. Instead, we seek authentic voices unwelcome in mainstream channels because they might "offend advertisers" or challenge entrenched powers. Some of our upcoming guests have faced serious consequences for their speech, including cancellation, demonetization, and even prosecution. You'll hear from Ralph Nader, Max Blumenthal, Judge Napolitano, Jenin Younes, and others who refuse to compromise their principles despite mounting pressure.

As public trust in mainstream media collapses, people are actively seeking alternatives to corporate-controlled narratives. The Unfettered Speech Podcast creates space for the questioning, discussion, and authentic exchange of ideas that healthy democracies require. Subscribe now to join a growing community that values truth over conformity and believes that in the marketplace of ideas, the public - not algorithms, fact-checkers or corporate interests - should decide what perspectives deserve attention.