In this first of 4 episodes, Mike and Peter discuss the idiom "Strange Bedfellows" and apply it to Trump's sycophantic cabinet members and other hanger-on advisors. Trump, having made 4 promises to his voters during the 2024 election, assured his supporters on the following issues: (1) He would be a peace president and not start any new wars (2) He would release the Epstein files and expose those who are guilty of pedophilia and other crimes therein (3) He would only deport criminals and cartel/gang members (4) He would fix the economy and lower inflation. This episode focuses on the unnecessary war with Iran.   

Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley.

Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics from UC Berkeley

In this (non-political) mini-episode, Mike and Peter discuss idioms and how important they are in gaining fluency in any given language. This "outtakes" episode serves as a bridge between the previous "Projections" episode and the forthcoming (multi-part) episode on "Strange Bedfellows". 

Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley.

Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics from UC Berkeley

In this episode, Mike and Peter discuss how we use language to project onto others. They cite Alexander Hamilton's hijacking of the word Federal, as well as other political nomenclatures, ultimately bringing it all back to an orange colored man. 

Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley.

Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics from UC Berkeley

In this third and final of three episodes, Mike and Peter first point out the absurd in Scott Bessent's answers (or lack thereof) during the senate's recent oversight hearing, then they expose the absurdity in Trump's "meltdown" interview with Kristen Welker.

Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley.

Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics from UC Berkeley

In this second of three episodes, Mike and Peter reference Kafka, Hoffmann, and the madness of war to draw parallels with the mainstream media, Trump, and Marco Rubio; how it all blurs into the absurd.

The brief audio clips from The Bridge On The River Kwai are strictly being used for educational purposes only!

Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley.

Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics from UC Berkeley

In this first of three episodes, Mike and Peter lay the foundation for the following discourse by offering definitions and examples of the absurd. 

Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley.

Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics from UC Berkeley

In this episode, Mike and Peter return to a more linguistics based analysis and zoom in on the weaponization of language - how it's used to convince and inspire, but also manipulate and deceive.

The brief audio clip from Darkest Hour is strictly being used for educational purposes only!

Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley.

Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics from UC Berkeley

In this episode, Mike and Peter make a couple announcements and answer a question they received regarding the previous episode.

Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley.

Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics from UC Berkeley

In this part 2 episode, Mike and Peter discuss fascism as an economic system and how it compares to laissez-faire (free market) capitalism and socialism.  

Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley.

Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics from UC Berkeley

In this debut episode of season 2, Mike and Peter discuss the socio-political meaning of fascism and how it can be applied to MAGA and Trump. This is a two-part episode with part two investigating the economic aspect of fascism.  

Michael Fragomeni earned his Bachelor of Arts in History (Magna Cum Laude) and his PhD in Germanic Linguistics both from UC Berkeley.

Peter Woods earned his BA in international affairs of Russia and Eastern Europe from George Washington University and his MA and PhD in Germanic linguistics from UC Berkeley