Shadi and Damir record an episode in transition, with Shadi just having gotten back from a long trip, and Damir just embarking on one. The nature of nationalism and the idea of “Americanism” come up as a result of being abroad.

Jeffrey Epstein’s apparent suicide kicks off a frenzy of conspiracy theories in the media—and prompts Shadi and Damir to talk through whether we are living through a healthy democratic correction, or something much darker.

Articles mentioned in the podcast:
Ross Douthat on conspiracies (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/opinion/jeffrey-epstein-suicide.html)
YouTube and Bolsonaro (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/11/world/americas/youtube-brazil.html)

In the wake of last weekend’s twin mass shootings, Shadi and Damir discuss radicalization, social media, and how the Left’s of denial of religion is creating dangerous blindspots for itself and for our democracies.

In the inaugural episode of this ongoing experiment, Shadi and Damir talk about how inherent tensions in American identity—between inclusion and assimilation—are being tugged apart in perhaps unhealthy ways.

In the inaugural episode of this ongoing experiment, Shadi and Damir talk about how inherent tensions in American identity—between inclusion and assimilation—are being tugged apart in perhaps unhealthy ways.