Kickass News

Introducing Everything Everywhere

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 18:23:24 -0000

Today I am sharing a preview of one of my favorite podcasts and a brand new addition to the Airwave Media podcast network. Everything Everywhere is a daily podcast that literally covers everything everywhere from the Eiffel Tower and Air Force One to tsunamis, Dracula, and daylight savings time. Hosted by globe-trotting travel writer Gary Arndt, Everything Everywhere is the perfect way to learn something new every single day.

I hope you enjoy this preview of one of my favorite episodes about the history of the Worlds Fairs. Please subscribe to Everything Everywhere on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and learn more at www.everything-everywhere.com.

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Basketball Great Dwayne Wade

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 20:18:57 -0000

Basketball great Dwayne Wade discusses the game that put him on the map when Marquette University beat top-seed Kentucky, what it was like to represent his country on the redeem team during 2008 summer olympics, and how he, Lebron James and Chris Bosh became the big three for the Miami Heat. He talks about returning to his home town of Chicago to play for Bulls, his brief stint playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, why he wanted to finish his career playing for the team that made him. Plus Dwayne talks Pregame rituals, the secret to a good head-fake, and black fatherhood.

Order Dwayne Wade's new book DWAYNE on Amazon or wherever books are sold, and follow him on Twitter at @DwayneWade.

Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and keep with us at www.kickassnews.com or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. Kickass News is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit Airwave at www.airwavemedia.com or on Apple Podcasts to discover our other excellent podcasts like Good Job Brain, Big Picture Science, Legends of the Old West, Investing for Beginners, Into the Impossible, and other great podcasts.

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Master Magician David Copperfield

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 21:15:22 -0000

Master illusionist David Copperfield recalls his beginnings as a childhood magician, his very first magic act, and why his early heroes were filmmakers and dancers instead of magicians. He reveals how he comes up with new ways to astound audiences and the remarkable 100 year evolution of his most famous illusion. He talks about how he quietly began amassing the world's largest magic collection, some of his favorite pieces from the collection, and how these one-of-a-kind items tell the entire history of magic. Plus we discuss some of Houdini's most famous escapes, the under-told story of women in magic, and the weird and wonderful stories behind some of the most colorful conjurors!

Order David's new book David Copperfield's History of Magic on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. It's full of beautiful photos from his private collection and makes a great holiday gift. Visit www.davidcopperfield.com to learn more and order tickets to Copperfield's show An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Follow him on Twitter at @D_Copperfield.

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Brad Meltzer Returns

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 20:05:00 -0000

Bestselling author Brad Meltzer returns to talk about his Ordinary People Change the World series of children's books and the importance of giving kids real heroes. He discusses his latest children's book I Am Oprah Winfrey, why he thinks kids will find Oprah's story inspirational, and why he didn't want to gloss over the darker parts of her story. Plus Brad talks about his successful battle with a school district that tried to ban his children's books about Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.

Order Brad's book I Am Oprah Winfrey on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold and check out all of his books for kids at www.ordinarypeoplechangetheworld.com. Follow him on Twitter at @bradmeltzer. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and keep with us at www.kickassnews.com or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. Kickass News is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit Airwave at www.airwavemedia.com or on Apple Podcasts to discover our other excellent podcasts like Good Job Brain, Big Picture Science, Legends of the Old West, Investing for Beginners, Into the Impossible, and other great podcasts.

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Bob Woodward and Robert Costa

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 18:27:49 -0000

Acclaimed journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa talk about the candid moment when President Donald Trump privately admitted that he had lost the 2020 election, how Rudy Giuliani convinced him to contest the results, and why Senate leaders in Trump’s own party decided that Trump’s case had zero merit. They reveal the other former Vice-President who convinced Mike Pence to certify the 2020 election for Biden, and the brief moment when Pence actually considered invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. They discuss the two times when General Mark Milley had to call his Chinese counterpart to assure him that Trump wasn't about to launch an imminent attack on China. Plus they weigh on whether Trump will run in 2024, finding the “operational commander” behind the January 6 attack on the Capitol, and a crash-course in the Bob Woodward school of journalism.

Order Bob Woodward and Robert Costa's new book Peril on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Follow them on Twitter at @realBobWoodward and @costareports. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and keep with us at www.kickassnews.com or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. Kickass News is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit Airwave at www.airwavemedia.com or on Apple Podcasts to discover our other excellent podcasts like Good Job Brain, Big Picture Science, Legends of the Old West, Investing for Beginners, Into the Impossible, and other great podcasts.

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Science Writer Mary Roach on Animal Law-Breakers

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 19:57:16 -0000

Science writer Mary Roach returns discusses the various animals that have stood trial in actual courts throughout history,
and how that inspired her latest book Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law. She talks about traveling the globe from Reno to the Himalayas to attend an animal forensics conference, track man-eating leopards, and blow up trees (yes Mary blew up a tree!). Plus , drunk elephants, monkey muggers, and much more.

Order Mary's new book Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Follow Mary on Twitter at @mary_roach or at www.maryroach.net. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and keep with us at www.kickassnews.com or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. Kickass News is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit Airwave at www.airwavemedia.com or on Apple Podcasts to discover our other excellent podcasts like Good Job Brain, Big Picture Science, Legends of the Old West, Investing for Beginners, Into the Impossible, and other great podcasts.

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Ron and Clint Howard Recall Their TV Childhood

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 18:04:53 -0000

Ron and Clint Howard talk about what it was like to balance school and their hit tv series The Andy Griffith Show and Gentle Ben. They fondly recall how their midwestern parents helped them pursue their dreams in showbusiness while always keeping them grounded. Ron shares some crucial advice that his dad gave Andy Griffith about the relationship between Andy and Opie, and how Ron later channelled his father’s strong will when he had stand up for himself during his time on Happy Days. Clint discusses his following in father’s footsteps as a working character actor, and why his dad was the best acting coach that he and Ron could have asked for. Plus they have some sage advice for pushy stage parents and showbiz kids.

Order Ron and Clint's new book The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and keep with us at www.kickassnews.com or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. Kickass News is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit Airwave at www.airwavemedia.com or on Apple Podcasts to discover our other excellent podcasts like Good Job Brain, Big Picture Science, Legends of the Old West, Investing for Beginners, Into the Impossible, and other great podcasts.

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Masters of Scale Reid Hoffman & June Cohen

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 16:15:17 -0000

Reid Hoffman, Co-Founder of LinkedIn, Partner at Greylock, and Host of Masters of Scale Podcast and June Cohen, his producer and Co-Founder and CEO of WaitWhat, discuss their new book Masters of Scale: Surprising Truths from the World's Most Successful Entrepreneurs. They talk about the entrepreneurial mindset, the keys to blitzscaling your way to success, and the underrated importance of a company's culture. Plus they explain the value of embracing resistance, the various kinds of “no”s that one hears gets VC meetings, and the time Reid said "no" to a startup when he should have said “yes.”

Order Reid and June's book Masters of Scale: Surprising Truths from the World's Most Successful Entrepreneurs
at https://book.mastersofscale.com. Subscribe to Masters of Scale podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen. Follow them on Twitter at, @mastersofscale , @reid hoffman, and @junecohen.

Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and keel with us at www.kickassnews.com or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. Kickass News is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit Airwave at www.airwavemedia.com or on Apple Podcasts to discover our other excellent podcasts like Infamous America, Investing for Beginners, The Accidental Creative, and Into the Impossible.

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Alexander Vindman on Doing What's Right

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 16:12:32 -0000

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman (Ret.) is the whistleblower who exposed former President Donald Trump's notorious phone call Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zellensky that led to the second impeachment of Trump. Vindman reveals the weird activity that tipped him off that this was going to be an unusual phone call, the moment when he realized Trump may have violated the law, and what happened when he reported the matter to his own brother. He describes the almost immediate pressure campaign to silence him, how his military training came in handy when he testified in the Congressional Impeachment Hearing, and why he feels that the Impeachment committee and the press focused too much on the prospect of a "quid pro quo." Plus he talks about the effort to rob him of his expected military promotion and how he's now reaching out to help other victim's of bullying.

Order Alexander Vindman's new memoir HERE, RIGHT MATTERS: An American Story on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and keel with us at www.kickassnews.com or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. Kickass News is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit Airwave at www.airwavemedia.com or on Apple Podcasts to discover our other excellent podcasts like Infamous America, Investing for Beginners, The Accidental Creative, and Into the Impossible.

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When Things Go Wrong

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 18:23:42 -0000

This is a preview episode of the new podcast When Things Go Wrong, hosted by Frank Supovitz. Frank served a combined 23 years as Senior Vice President, Events for the National Football League and the Group Vice President of Events & Entertainment for the National Hockey League. He's seen it all, and knows how to handle a crisis such as the time the lights went out in the middle of the Super Bowl!

Frank interviews leaders in sports, news, music, movies, tech, politics and more about the anatomy of real crises, large and small, how they might have been prevented, and how they were resolved...or managed when they couldn’t be.

In this episode, Frank talks with Jeff Miller, former Chief Security Executive of the NFL, about Super Bowl security, and then Jeff discusses the most difficult experience of his professional life: managing the unfolding tragedy of a school shooting in front of media from around the world.

If you enjoy this episode, please listen and subscribe to When Things Go Wrong on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen!

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Legends of the Old West Presents The Pleasant Valley War

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 19:05:00 -0000

This is a preview of episode 1 of the latest season of Legends of the Old West about the infamous land dispute known as a the Pleasant Valley War. What began as a feud between two families turned into a decade-long war that engulfed much of the Arizona territory and became the most deadly range conflict in US history.

In each season of Legends of the Old West, host Chris Wimmer tells the tales of lawmen like Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok and the Texas Rangers; outlaws like Jesse James and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; Native American leaders like Red Cloud, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse; and rowdy towns like Deadwood, Tombstone and Dodge City.

Subscribe to Legends of the Old West on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. etc. Also check out Chris Wimmer's historical true crime podcast Infamous America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc. Infamous America and Legends of the Old West are produced by Black Barrel Media and are part of the Airwave Media podcast network.

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The 1978 Lufthansa Heist

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 19:05:00 -0000

Season 15 of the true crime history podcast Infamous America is all about the notorious 1978 Lufthansa Heist. It involved one of New York’s biggest crime families and nearly $6 million in cash and jewelry - the largest cash robbery ever on American soil at the time. The money and jewels are still missing to this day and the mystery remains largely unsolved! Enjoy this preview of Episode 1: The Robert's Lounge Gang.

Hosted by Chris Wimmer, Infamous America takes you on a journey through the wildest, and sometimes darkest, chapters of American history. From the Salem Witch Trials to the gangsters of the 1930s to assassins, traitors, outlaws, scandals and events that still defy explanation, you’ll hear them all on Infamous America.

Subscribe to Infamous America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Also check out Chris Wimmer's western history show Legends of the Old West on Apple, Spotify, etc. Infamous America and Legends of the Old West are produced by Black Barrel Media and are part of the Airwave Media podcast network.

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Ben Rhodes on Activism vs Authoritarianism

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 19:05:00 -0000

Ben Rhodes, A former White House aide and close confidant to President Barack Obama, discusses what it was like to go from being the ultimate White House insider to reporting on world events from the outside. He talks about his conversation with the now imprisoned Russian activist Alexei Navalny, what he learned from the Hong Kong protesters, and how Hungarian strongman Victor Orban quickly consolidated power and rolled back post-Soviet freedoms. Plus he reveals why he believes that America is partly to blame for figures like Orban, Putin, and Xi, and he even weighs in on the government’s joint intelligence report about Unidentified Arial Phenomena.

Order Ben's new book After the Fall: Being American in the World We've Made on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Subscribe to Ben’s podcast Pod Save the World wherever you like to listen, and follow him on twitter at @brhodes.

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Brad Stone Takes Us Inside Amazon

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 19:10:00 -0000

Bloomberg journalist Brad Stone discusses his book Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire. He talks about how Amazon has exploded during the pandemic, how the company’s purchase of Whole Foods proved all the critics wrong, and why the online retail giant is now making a big bet on brick and mortar stores. We get into the fraught process of selecting a location for Amazon HQ2 and how Bezos managed to triumph over a different public relations nightmare surrounding his extra-marital affair. Plus we discuss Bezos’s relationship with frienemy Elon Musk, why he’s choosing to retire from Amazon, and what’s next for the company known as the “Everything Store.”

Order Brad Stone's new book Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Follow Brad on twitter at @Brad Stone

Kickass News is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Check out some of Airwave's other great shows like Movie Therapy, When Things Go Wrong, Legends of the Old West, and My History Can Beat Up Your Politics.

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Malcolm Gladwell on the Bomber Mafia

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 19:05:00 -0000

Malcolm Gladwell discusses the stranger fiction of the story of a Dutch genius and his homemade computer, a band of brothers in central Alabama, a British psychopath, and pyromaniacal chemists at Harvard to examine one of the greatest moral challenges in modern American history. Plus Malcolm talks about his heart-wrenching visit to museum dedicated to victims of the Tokyo firebombings, his revealing dinner with the top brass of the US Airforce, and why he’s making a big bet on audiobooks with his latest offering.

Order Malcolm's new book The Bomber Mafia on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Kickass News is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Check out some of Airwave's other great shows like Infamous America, Investing for Beginners, and My History Can Beat Up Your Politics.

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Jon Meacham on the Roots of the Capitol Riot

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 18:20:11 -0000

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Jon Meacham returns to discuss the early rumblings within the Conservative movement that led to the Capitol riots of January 6, 2021 and why Democrats and Republicans can no longer agree on something as objective as facts. He reveals that the roots of January 6 go as far back as Barry Goldwater, how the GOP succeeded in squelching the John Birchers in the 60’s, but how they failed to control the radical elements in the party today. Plus Q-Anon, the future of the Republican Party, and Jon shares what his late friend George H.W. Bush thought about the rise of the alt-right.

Subscribe to Jon Meacham's podcast FATE OF FACT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen. Follow Jon on twitter at @jonmeacham and at www.jonmeacham.com. Today's episode was brought to you by Gastropod podcast. Kickass News is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Check out some of Airwave's other great shows like Infamous America, Investing for Beginners, and My History Can Beat Up Your Politics.

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Alex Gibney on the Crime of the Century

Mon, 24 May 2021 19:54:12 -0000

Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney discusses his new documentary The Crime of the Century about how big pharma knowingly got America hooked on opioids. Watch Alex's two-part documentary The Crime of the Century on HBO Max and follow Alex on Twitter at @alexgibneyfilm. Kickass News is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Check out some of our other great shows like Food with Mark Bittman, Movie Therapy, and When Things Go Wrong on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Airwave Presents: Food with Mark Bittman

Thu, 20 May 2021 05:33:32 -0000

We're launching our new podcast network Airwave on Monday, May 24, starting with our first original podcast FOOD WITH MARK BITTMAN.

Former New York Times food journalist and #1 bestselling author Mark Bittman (How to Cook Everything, Eat Vegan Before 6:00) is obsessed with everything about food. Each week on FOOD, Mark sits down with a different guest, ranging from Chef Tom Colicchio to Jane Goodall to Carla Hall, and to important people in the food world you may not know about. They talk about cooking, eating, and how food affects us all – our lives, our health, our planet. They talk recipes, ingredients, how to shop, what to cook tonight, and what you can do to help build a better food system. Mark even takes your questions, and gives advice – cooking and otherwise! Whatever you want is fair game, from how to boil an egg to how to feed your picky toddler to how to increase people’s control over the role food plays in our lives.

Click here to subscribe now to FOOD WITH MARK BITTMAN on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t miss the first episode May 24 with Mark's special guest - the fabulous Nigella Lawson.

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Ken Burns and Lynn Novick on Ernest Hemingway

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 22:52:43 -0000

Ken Burns and Lynn Novick come back to the podcast to discuss their new 3-part documentary on Ernest Hemingway. They share their own memories of the first Hemingway books they ever read, the challenges of getting to the real person behind the legend, and what it was like to re-examining some of the trouble aspects of the writer’s personality from his views on women and race to his struggles with mental health. They reveal what they learned from the many contemporary authors with whom they spoke as

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Comedian Jo Koy

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0000

Comedian Jo Koy talks about growing up as a biracial military brat, his mom’s immigrant hustle, and his first taste of the spotlight as a childhood Michael Jackson impersonator. He recalls selling tickets door to door for his first comedy show, encountering racism in Hollywood, and how he's now paying it forward to other Philippino artists and comedians. Plus Jo talks about embracing our stereotypes, Philippino crucifixion rituals, and why there really are so many Phillipino nurses.

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Melissa Bernstein of Melissa & Doug Toys

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 21:37:00 -0000

Melissa Bernstein co-founded the wildly successful toy company Melissa & Doug. You might think that this happily-married mother of 6, who has created over 5,000 toys which have sold over a billion dollars, is always chipper and full of positivity, but Melissa reveals that many days she wonders if she'll make it tomorrow. She opens up about how her lifelong battle with existential anxiety and depression almost drove her to suicide, why she finally learned to manage it at age 50, and how she’s now on

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Admiral James Stavridis and Novelist Elliott Ackerman

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 23:16:00 -0000

Former commander of NATO Admiral James Stavridis and decorated Marine and novelist Elliott Ackerman envision how a naval clash between the US and China in the South China Sea could lead to World War III in their disturbingly plausible work of speculative fiction titled 2034: A Novel of the Next World War. They discuss how they came together on this project and the power of fiction to draw attention to real world issues and potential areas of crisis. Admiral Stavridis talks about the China’s increas

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A Huge Announcement from Kickass News

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 23:44:00 -0000

It's official! We're launching a brand new podcast network called Airwave this May! In addition to Kickass News, Airwave will be the new home for many of your other favorite podcasts. Airwave will also debut over a dozen original shows hosted by some of the leading thought leaders and storytellers in audio entertainment, including many of my most popular past guests. We can't do it without you though! We need your financial support to fund our full production slate. Please become a part of

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Walter Isaacson on the Next Scientific Revolution

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 22:01:49 -0000

Bestselling author Walter Isaacson (Jobs, Leonardo DaVinci) shares how Nobel Prize-winning scientist Jennifer Doudna and her collaborators blazed a trail in a field dominated by men and turned a curiosity of nature into an something that will transform the human race: an easy-to-use tool that can edit DNA. He reveals how the technology known as CRISPR has launched a revolution that will allow us to cure diseases, fend off viruses, and have healthier babies. Walter talks the controversy over so-called

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Comedian Howie Mandel

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 19:00:00 -0000

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The Egyptian Indiana Jones Dr. Zahi Hawass

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 21:03:00 -0000

Dr. Zahi Hawass is the former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities and Director of Excavations at Giza, Saqqara, the Bahariya Oasis, and the Valley of the Kings. He is often referred to as “the real Indiana Jones, and some of his major finds include the Tombs of the Pyramid Builders at Giza, the Valley of the Golden Mummies, and multiple undiscovered pyramids. Now he’s leading the biggest archeological excavation ever attempted in Egypt, and he is documenting the adventure in a new 2-hour special for dis

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Mark Bittman on Our Complicated History with Food

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 01:45:07 -0000

James Beard Award-winning food writer and #1 bestselling author Mark Bittman offers a panoramic view of how the frenzy for food has driven human history to some of its most catastrophic moments, from slavery and genocide to our current moment, wherein Big Food exacerbates climate change, plunders our planet, and sickens its people. Mark reveals how he first got the world to take food issues seriously, how we can rethink our food distribution systems, and take a different approach to feeding the wo

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Director Lee Daniels on Jazz Icon Billie Holiday

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 01:05:29 -0000

Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels (Precious, The Butler) talks about his latest film The United States vs. Billie Holiday and how the 1971 movie Lady Sings the Blues inspired him to go into entertainment. He reveals that he always has a personal connection to each of his films, that The United States vs Billie Holiday was the first movie that he has ever directed sober. and how his own struggle with drugs and alcohol gave him insight into Holiday’s lifelong addiction. We discuss how the iconic s

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Gayle Lemmon on the Women Who Beat ISIS

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 22:25:56 -0000

Journalist and author Gayle Tzemach Lemmon talks about the women who fought ISIS in Syria. She discusses how the female fighters of Kobani helped to deliver the first blow to the previously unstoppable forces of the Islamic State and how that victory convinced the US that it had a reliable partner against ISIS. She shares the individual stories of some of the brave women she encountered, including some who rose to command both women and men in combat, and some who were forced to marry ISIS fighters,

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Jared Diamond Explores Nations in Crisis

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 00:21:20 -0000

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Comedian Tom Papa

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 20:16:00 -0000

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True Crime Documentary Filmmaker Joe Berlinger

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 12:00:00 -0000

True crime documentary filmmaker Joe Berlinger (Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, Paradise Lost) discusses his new Netflix docu-series Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel that deconstructs the mythology and mystery surrounding infamous locations in contemporary crime. He explains the dark history of the Cecil Hotel and why the socio-economics of downtown Los Angeles have made it a haven for the downtrodden, desperate, and despicable, including Richard Ramirez aka the Nightstal

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David Mamet Talks Jazz, Gangsters, and Noir

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 01:06:56 -0000

In this 2018 interview with David Mamet, the Pulitzer-winning writer/director discusses how the old gangster stories he heard as a child inspired him to write CHICAGO: A NOVEL. He talks about his love of classic noir and hot jazz, and dislike of social media, computers, and flowery prose. He shares why famous figures are better felt than heard in historical fiction, why he says Hollywood is dead, and why he never reads his own reviews. He teases his latest play about Harvey Weinstein, and reveals hi

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Zackary Drucker and Jay Duplass

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 03:23:00 -0000

Jay Duplass and Zackary Drucker discuss their new docu-series The Lady and the Dale about the rise and eventual fall of automaker and trans trailblazer Elizabeth Carmichael. We talk about Carmichael's three-wheeled car that claimed to get 70 per gallon and how the 70s gas crisis fueled incredible interest in "the Dale." We Carmichael's shady past, and life on the run from the law, and how it inevitably caught up to her. We also cover some of the prejudices she faced and what her trial meant for the

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George C. Wolfe on Bringing a Blues Icon to the Screen

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 22:39:00 -0000

Five-time Tony Award-winning director George C. Wolfe talks about his acclaimed new motion picture Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, the legacy of the original the original Mother of the Blues, and what went into transforming Oscar-winner Viola Davis into this larger than life icon. He discusses what the Chicago jazz scene meant to black musicians who migrated from the Jim Crow South in the 1920s and some of the creative ways that he found to visually depict the foreignness of the urban north for those who made tha

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 23:59:21 -0000

In this 2017 interview, basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar talks about his 50 year friendship with the "Wizard of Westwood" UCLA Coach John Wooden. He says Coach Wooden was more concerned with his players’ grades than with winning basketball games, he shares some of the wisdom that Coach Wooden imparted, and talks about the time Coach helped Abdul-Jabbar forgive another one of his early mentors who used a racial slur. He talks about how he felt when the NCAA banned dunking and how Coach Wooden hel

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Ocean Explorer Robert Ballard

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 00:58:00 -0000

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Bulletproof Founder Dave Asprey on the Benefits of Fasting

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:46:00 -0000

Bulletproof founder Dave Asprey talks about his latest book Fast This Way: (How to Lose Weight, Get Smarter, and Live Your Longest, Healthiest Life with the Bulletproof Guide to Fasting). He discuss why diets and New Year's resolutions never work, the difference between fasting and dieting, and why science is just starting to take intermittent fasting seriously. He shares how fasting can reduce inflammation, increase your sharpness and productivity, boost your immune system, and even add years t

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Six Degrees of Mike Rowe

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0000

Mike Rowe has handled some of the toughest and most disgusting jobs during his nine seasons as host of Discovery's Dirty Jobs. Now he's putting that same work ethic to work to prove once and for all that everything in the world is connected for his discovery+ series Six Degrees with Mike Rowe. Mike reveals how he faked his way into his first job as an opera singer, some of the strangest products he used to pitch as a late-night host on QVC, and the hardest thing he ever had to do as host of Dirty Job

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Ryan White on the Bizarre Murder of Kim Jong-Nam

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 23:23:00 -0000

Documentary filmmaker Ryan White (The Case Against 8, The Keepers) talks about his new film Assassins about the murder of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un's half brother Kim Jong-Nam. He recounts how Kim Jong-Nam was killed in broad daylight with the deadly VX nerve agent, questions the press’s sensational portrayal of two young Southeast Asian women as diabolical black widow assassins, and reveals that the truth of what happened is even more bizarre than anything that the media could make up. Ryan

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Director Bryan Fogel Unravels the Jamal Khashoggi Assassination

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 21:41:51 -0000

Academy Award-winning director Bryan Fogel (Icarus) discusses his gripping new documentary thriller The Dissident about the 2018 execution of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi Embassy in Istanbul. He discuss how Jamal Khashoggi went from being an insider in the Saudi royal family to a harsh critic of the House of Saud, how a sophisticated cyber hack and the ultimate Twitter war put Khashoggi squarely in the cross hairs of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (aka MBS), an

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Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 06:05:43 -0000

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Comedy Writer Bess Kalb Buries 2020

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0000

After eight years as a comedy writer on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Bess Kalb recently wrote and produced a new comedy special that "eulogizes" the year 2020. Yearly Departed is available on Amazon Prime Video beginning 12/30. Bess comes on the podcast to talk about her own trials and tribulations over the past year, including a recent Covid-scare at the pediatrician, how she finds catharsis through laughter, and how that inspired her to bid adieu to 2020 with a rollicking roast-style memorial service. She rev

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Joel McHale Rings in the New Year

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 21:31:00 -0000

Joel McHale (Community, The Soup) shares his excitement for his first time co-hosting a New Years Eve special and how he’s looking forward to relentlessly roasting his pal Ken Jeong for a full three and half hours on Fox’s New Year’s Roast & Toast 2021. Joel reveals why he and Ken just can’t quit each other and the origins of their recent pandemic themed podcast The Darkest Timeline. We also discuss how Netflix has breathed new life into Joel and Ken’s series Community, what it was like to

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Loudon Wainwright III and Vince Giordano Celebrate the Great American Songbook

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Loudon Wainwright III is best known as a folk singer and songwriter, but now he is lending his unique interpretation to the music of the great American songbook on a new album that he recorded with big band bandleader Vince Giordano and his Nighthawk Orchestra. They talk about their deep affection for the music of composers like Irving Berlin and Rodgers & Hart and some of their favorite tracks from their album I’d Rather Lead a Band. Loudon recalls fond memories of his father playing these songs

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Hilary Swank and Deon Taylor Revive Noir

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank and filmmaker Deon Taylor talk about their new film Fatale and their love of classic film noir directors from Alfred Hitchcock to Brian Depalma. Hilary explains what drew her to finally play an antagonist on screen and how she found a way into that character that strikes right at the heart of worst fears and most basic instincts. Plus we talk about expanding the range of female villains beyond shallow "psycho woman" roles and the social responsibility of depicting p

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Michael Eric Dyson on Reckoning with Race in America

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Bestselling author, professor, and leading public intellectual Dr. Michael Eric Dyson talks about his decision to address race in America through a series of letters to black martyrs, why we all know the name George Flloyd, but we might not know the name Elijah McClain, and how he’s seeking to educate white people about the centuries violence against blacks that have led up to this moment in his new book Long Time Coming: Reckoning with Race in America. He explains the origins of what he calls the black

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Jon Hamm on Mad Men, SNL, and the Luck of the Irish

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Jon Hamm talks about making his first trip to Ireland for his new movie Wild Mountain Thyme, filming in the ancestral hometown of President-elect Joe Biden, and why he was blissfully relieved that he didn’t have to attempt an Irish accent. Jon recalls his childhood growing up in St. Louis, the unusual side job he had when he was starting out as a struggling actor, and the deadline he gave himself to make it in Hollywood. Jon discusses the lengthy audition process for the role that made him famous o

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The Doors Drummer John Densmore

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 22:39:00 -0000

In his more than 50 years in music, drummer John Densmore has played with and gotten to know some of the greatest musicians of our time, from Janis Joplin and Paul Simon to Ravi Shankar and Willie Nelson, as well as some inspiring non-musicians from the Dalai Lama to screenwriter Joseph Campbell. He has managed to learn something from many of those interactions - lessons he writes about in his new book THE SEEKERS: MEETINGS WITH REMARKABLE MUSICIANS (AND OTHER ARTISTS). John Densmore discusses the

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My Podcast with André

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Acclaimed actor, writer, and theatre director André Gregory joins me on the show to talk about his unusual life from his Jewish father’s possible collaboration with the Nazis and his mom’s affair with Errol Flynn to the 14 year rehearsal for his production of Ibsen’s The Master Builder and the time the local Sheriff escorted him out of his own repertory theatre and dumped him across the state line in the middle of nowhere. We get into his longtime collaboration with actor/writer Wallace Shaw

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Chef Magnus Nilsson

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0000

In 2019, Chef Magnus Nilsson closed Fäviken, his one-of-a-kind Michelin-starred restaurant in remote Sweden at the peak of its success. He shares how Fäviken became one of the top restaurants in the world, how the industry it was a part of has changed, and why he eventually elected to pursue new projects. He talks about his reliance on fresh local seasonal ingredients, the difference between great produce and "exceptional produce," and why he’d rather eat an exceptional carrot than imported kobe

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Matthew McConaughey on Catching Life's Greenlights

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Matthew McConaughey is an Academy Award-winning actor, but he is also a poet, philosopher, husband and father of three, global traveler, writer, occasional orchestra conductor, and passionate student of life. Today he shares some of things he's learned about himself, others, and the world around him. He discusses what he calls the "wild rodeo marriage" of his mom and dad, the moment when he became a man in his father’s eyes, and the long line of cattle rustlers, hustlers, and river boat gamblers in

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Astronaut Scott Kelly

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 08:00:00 -0000

This is a rerun of my interview with astronaut Captain Scott Kelly. He talks about his year on the International Space Station, including how it pushed his body the limit, why the hardest physical test was re-adjusting to life on earth, and how his experience could get NASA one step closer to a manned mission to Mars. He reveals how he combatted boredom in space, what he missed most about earth, and how he got along with his Russian crew-mates amid strained US-Russia relations. Plus Scott tells m

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Preview of Get Wired Podcast

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 08:00:00 -0000

We’re doing something a little different today. Instead of a regular episode of KickAss News, we wanted to share a clip from our friends over at the Get Wired podcast. Get Wired is produced by Wired and hosted by senior writer Lauren Goode. It’s all about how the future is realized. It’s the news of tomorrow, delivered to you today. The show is nerdy, innovated, and heavy on research. They’re stories you can trust on everything from the rise of virtual beings and the science of fire torn

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Joe Scarborough Discusses Harry Truman's Lasting Legacy

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 01:12:00 -0000

I talk with Joe Scarborough, host of Morning Joe on MSNBC, about our mutual affection for the politician dismissed as the “strange little man” from Missouri, why Harry Truman couldn’t even get respect from his own wife and mother-in-law, and how historians have gradually rehabilitated the legacy of our 33rd President. Joe tells the story of the twin crises that kicked off the Cold War and the speech redefined US foreign policy. We discuss how Truman pulled America out of its isolationist past, the Republican Senator who helped him do it, and how they forged a bipartisan coalition that held for more than 70 years
and eventually defeated communism. He discusses Donald Trump’s efforts to reject the Truman Doctrine and undermine longstanding alliances such as NATO, the degree to which President-elect Biden can undo Trump’s disastrous foreign policy, and whether Joe Scarborough, a former Republican Congressman, thinks that he will ever return the GOP.

Order Joe Scarborough's book Saving Freedom: Truman, the Cold War, and the Fight for Western Civilization on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Watch him on Morning Joe weekday mornings from 6-9 eastern on MSNBC, and follow him on twitter at @JoeNBC.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Oscar-winning Director Steve McQueen

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 22:35:20 -0000

Director Steve McQueen won an Academy Award for Best Picture for telling the dramatic true story of a free African-American who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in his film Twelve Years a Slave. Now he’s addressing a form of racial oppression that hits a lot closer to home for him in a new anthology of films called Small Axe, which collectively captures the lives of London’s West Indian community in the 1970s and ’80s and their force of will against systemic racism and discrimination. Stev

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The Mindhunter John Douglas

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 01:33:42 -0000

Legendary FBI criminal profiler John Douglas talks about some of the 5000 cases with which he has been involved and his chilling face to face encounters with the worst monsters in recent memory from Edmund Kemper to Ted Bundy. He reveals why he first began interviewing serial killers without the FBI’s knowledge or permission, how he prepared for these deeply disturbing meetings, and he and his colleagues found commonalities that would help the FBI catch the most horrific of murderers of our time.

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David Sedaris Returns

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 23:52:31 -0000

David Sedaris returns to the podcast to talk about his pre-election anxiety, his lifelong blackout of all social media, and the time he got bullied while testifying before the British House of Commons. He discusses what it was like the comb through 25 years of material for his new collection of essays The Best of Me, the strangeness of putting out a book without the traditional book tour, and the essay that got him in hot water with bear activists. Order David's latest book The Best of Me on Amazon, A

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Michael Riedel on Broadway's Recent Past and Uncertain Future

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 08:00:00 -0000

New York Post theatre columnist Michael Riedel shares his thoughts on Broadway's uncertain future, what New York theatre may look like whenever it emerges from the pandemic, and some hopeful lessons from Broadway’s dramatic recovery in the wake of the attacks on 9/11. He says he didn't intend for the title of his new book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway to be ironic, but a tribute to boom in American theatre in the 90s and the enduring influence of one of America's greatest cultural export

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Stacey Abrams on Counting Every Vote

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 19:34:00 -0000

With Joe Biden taking a razor thin lead in George and a run-off election expected to decide who controls the Senate, many credit Stacey Abrams with making sure that every vote gets counted and likely delivering Georgia for the Democrats. Today's episode is a re-release of my 2019 interview with Stacey Abrams in which she discusses why she refused to concede defeat in the 2018 gubernatorial race, why she believes widespread voter suppression tipped that election to her opponent, and how she's continuing th

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Tim Heidecker Is on a Mission to the Moon

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Tim Heidecker talks about his new comedy series Moonbase 8, collaborating with fellow comedy geniuses John C. Reilly, Fred Armisen, and Jonathan Krisel on the show, and what it was like to visit NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and SpaceX headquarters as part of their research. He discusses how Bob Odenkirk gave him his first big break, the cult following for his Adult Swim series The Time and Eric Awesome Show, and how one Tim and Eric sketch got the attention of QAnon conspiracists. Plus Tim weighs in

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Legendary Newsman Dan Rather

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 07:00:00 -0000

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Lenny Kravitz Reveals How He Found His Voice

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 21:28:00 -0000

Grammy-wining musician Lenny Kravitz shares how his parents' biracial marriage and very different personalities fostered what he calls his "gemini soul," how his mom, actress Roxy Roker from TV's The Jeffersons, inspired the artist in him, and how he and his dad still found connection through music even as their relationship deteriorated. He recalls the rock concert that changed his life, the first song he ever wrote, and sneaking out of his parents' house every night to explore LA’s thriving music s

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Peter Frampton Comes Alive

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 05:44:00 -0000

Rock legend Peter Frampton talks about the making of that seminal rock album Frampton Comes Alive! and the story of his famous guitar that he nicknamed "The Phoenix." He recalls learning to play guitar by ear when he was a boy, growing up with another future rock legend David Bowie, and what it was like to be in high school during the day and perform in a rock band at night. He tells the story of the time he barely escaped Noriega’s Panama with his life, how he took the the news of the death of hi

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John Cleese on Creativity

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:58:00 -0000

As the actor and writer behind Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, and films like A Fish Called Wanda, John Cleese is among the most creative minds in entertainment. He opens up about his writing process, why he often finds inspiration in the most unlikely of places, and how you can foster creativity in whatever you do. He explains why overconfidence is the enemy of creativity, where he gets his particular disdain for pompous politicians and feckless authority figures, and why he says that people in charge

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Google's Eric Schmidt

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 19:35:01 -0000

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Tim Robbins on Defeating Tyranny with Satire

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Oscar-winning actor/writer/director/producer Tim Robbins shares how he originally developed his latest project Bobo Supreme as a movie with the director Adam McKay, but he was inspired to adapt his screenplay for an auditory medium when the pandemic shut down film production. He reveals how he managed to record with 35 different actors in 35 different locations simultaneously during quarantine, and how it has given him a renewed appreciation for the radio dramas of Orson Welles and his Mercury Radio Thea

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99% Invisible's Roman Mars on How People, Politics, and Pandemics Impact Design

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 21:01:00 -0000

99% Invisible host Roman Mars discusses his new book why it’s taken him a decade to finally write a 99% Invisible book The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design, all of the thought that this design fan put into the look of his first book, and some of the secret publishing considerations that determine everything from how many units get returned to whether a book gets sold by Costco. We talk about the baseball player who became synonymous with stairs to nowhere and

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H.R. McMaster Looks at America's Greatest Challenges to Come

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 22:45:30 -0000

Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster served in the US Army for 34 years and then as National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump. He discusses what it was like to take over that job in the chaotic period following the firing of his predecessor Michael Flynn, how studying LBJ's mistakes during the War in Vietnam made him even more determined to provide the current Commander-in-Chief with straight-forward, unvarnished policy advice, and why he believes that some others in the White House might not h

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John Lithgow Takes on Trump with Rhyme and Verse

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0000

John Lithgow shares some of his favorite poems from his new book Trumpty Dumpty Wanted a Crown: Verses for a Despotic Age and how a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most famous song inspired him to express his political voice through rhyme and verse. He reveals that he originally wanted to go into fine art instead of acting, how his poetry books have returned him to his childhood love of drawing, and why the motley cast of characters around Donald Trump serve as endless sources of inspiration

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Jeff Daniels and Billy Ray on Capturing the Real James Comey

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Based on James Comey's memoir A Higher Loyalty, The Comey Rule is a two night television event that is written/directed by Oscar-nominee Billy Ray and stars Emmy-winner Jeff Daniels as the embattled FBI Director. They join me on the podcast to open up about their own initial anger at James Comey over the 2016 Hillary Clinton probe and why they want to set the record straight about the man behind the two most controversial investigations of the 21st Century. Jeff reveals what attracts him to roles tha

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Actor Richard Jenkins Discusses His Long Path to Hollywood Success

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 22:59:00 -0000

Oscar-nominated actor Richard Jenkins talks about his prolific career as one of Hollywood’s most reliable character actors and achieving fame later in life on the hit HBO series Six Feet Under. He talks about some of his favorite films including Step Brothers and The Shape of Water, how director Guillermo del Toro gives actors a whole bible of background information on their characters, and the difference between working with the Coen Brothers and the Farrelly Brothers. Richard discusses his role

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Actress Carrie Coon Is Riding a Hot Streak

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Actress Carrie Coon talks about her incredible hot streak from The Leftovers to her new film The Nest

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Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 18:14:00 -0000

For more than 25 years, actors and musicians Jack Black and Kyle Gass have been performing as the rock satire band Tenacious D. They’ve toured around the world, recorded Grammy-winning albums, started a music festival, made a tv show, made a movie, then made an animated movie, and now they’ve even put out a new graphic novel. Today Kyle and Jack join me on the show as we get into how they’ve managed to outlast the lifespan of most bands and how satirizing rock bands has led to their playing

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Former White House Photographer Pete Souza

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0000

As Official White House Photographer under Ronald Reagan and then Barack Obama, Pete Souza was an eyewitness to the unique and tremendous responsibilities of being the most powerful person on Earth. Now he's the subject of a new documentary film titled The Way I See It. Pete discusses the life of a White House photographer and what it was like to go from being a journalist on the outside looking in to being at the President’s side all day, every day. He talks about the delicate balance between g

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Neuroscientist David Eagleman on Our Ever-Changing Brain

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Dr. David Eagleman is creator/host of PBS's The Brain, a professor of neuroscience at Stanford University, and CEO/founder of Neosensory, a company that builds the next generation of neuroscience hardware. He overturns science's traditional understand of brain plasticity and explains how the mind is able to constantly adapt to suit different circumstances. He shares how a child can still function with half his brain missing, how babies start modeling the world from the moment they are born, and what hap

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Jon Meacham Remembers Civil Rights Hero John Lewis

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 17:48:00 -0000

Pulitzer-winning historian Jon Meacham recalls his 30 year friendship with the late Congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis. Meacham describes as an almost Biblical arc to John Lewis's life, and how Lewis’s Christian faith informed his activism. He describes the horrible day in Selma, Alabama known as "Bloody Sunday," and how Lewis remained steadfast and at peace even as state troopers beat him within an inch of his life on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. He discusses his final conversation wit

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Erin Brockovich Is Still Fighting the Good Fight

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 07:00:00 -0000

20 years after the film Erin Brockovich raised awareness about water contamination, the real Erin Brockovich talks about how her that movie changed her life, the moment when she realized that she had to stand up for the citizens of Hinckley, California, and her outrage that dangerous levels of Chromium-6 still exist in the water of hundreds of municipalities across the U.S. She explains why environmental regulators aren’t doing their jobs, and how she’s helped angry moms mobilize their communities

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Greg Gutfeld Is Your Reluctant Self-Help Guru

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 20:48:07 -0000

Before Greg Gutfeld was a Fox News star and a New York Times bestselling author, he was a self-help writer for health magazines who had no idea what he was talking about. Now, after years of experience, he finally feels qualified to guide people on the journey of life with his new book The Plus: Self-Help for People Who Hate Self-Help. Greg returns to the podcast to share some of the lame self-help advice he used to give in magazines like Maxim and Men’s Health and why he generally abhors self-improveme

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Adam Carolla Takes on Cancel Culture and Hashtag Heroes

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Adam Carolla takes on cancel culture and hashtag heroes. He explains why he has given up on apologizing to people, why he’s standing by his friend Jimmy Kimmel during the late night show host’s blackface controversy, and why he believes that people who virtue signal on behalf others are really quietly racist. He discusses his political philosophy, his impression of Donald Trump from his stint on Celebrity Apprentice, and how a segment producer on that show hoodwinked him into getting fired from the

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Jim Belushi Wants to Heal the World

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Jim Belushi is a man of many talents, actor, singer, dancer, and now legal cannabis farmer. He shares how he’s using cannabis to combat the opioid crisis and heal vets suffering from PTSD, how high school football might have led to his brother John Belushi's tragic death, and why he believes that John would be alive today if he’d done more weed and less cocaine. Jim discusses some of his best films and his two seasons on Saturday Night Live, how a man known as the "Smell of SNL" is helping him

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Jeffrey Toobin on the Investigation of Donald Trump

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 19:00:00 -0000

CNN chief legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin talks about his new book True Crimes and Misdemeanors: The Investigation of Donald Trump. He discusses why this was the hardest book he’s ever written, and how he managed to gain access to a number Robert Mueller’s lead investigators (including a few of those so-called "angry Democrats"). He reveals why Mueller declined to subpoena Donald Trump, why he never attempted to get ahold of Trump’s financial records, and why he ultimately stopped just short of

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CNN's Jim Sciutto on How Trump Takes on the World

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 07:00:00 -0000

CNN's chief national security correspondent and anchor of CNN NewsroomJim Sciutto discusses the Nixon-era origins of the so-called "Madman Theory" and how it applies to President Trump’s unpredictable approach to foreign policy. He reveals that the President’s intelligence team deliberately avoids bringing up Russia for fear of upsetting him and how this has lead to a dangerous ignorance of America’s number one geopolitical foe. Jim delves into the President’s fraught relationship with China,

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Ambassador Susan Rice

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Ambassador Susan Rice is currently at the top of Joe Biden's shortlist for Vice-President. It's not hard to see why. She established a good working relationship with Biden during the Obama Administration, and she has been at the table during the most pressing international crises of the past 30 years. She talk about her family’s unique American story and how playing peacekeeper during her parents troubled marriage made her grow up fast but also prepared her for a life in international diplomacy.

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Paul Begala on How to "Fire" Donald Trump

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Paul Begala, former strategist to Bill Clinton and CNN political commentator offers a game-plan for how Democrats can beat President Trump in November. He starts be admitting what he didn’t understand about Donald Trump in 2016 and sharing which of the lessons learned in 2016 can be applied in 2020. Paul tells the story of how the Obama White House warned the incoming Trump Administration about the threat of a global pandemic almost 4 years ago, and he outlines the best way for Joe Biden to addres

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The Today Show's Al Roker

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Al Roker returns to the show to tell stories from The Today Show and his early days in local television including how he annoyed his way into his first gig as a TV weatherman, some of his worst on-air flubs, and what he loved about doing those quirky, feel-good segments at the end of your evening news. He says every local news team has there own version of Ron Burgundy, recalls working with a young Maury Povich back when Maury was serious DC newsman, and how he once handled a racist comment from anot

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Marketing Master Guy Kawasaki

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 17:31:00 -0000

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Oliver Stone on Writing, Directing, and Surviving Platoon

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Oscar-winning writer/director Oliver Stone (Platoon, Wall Street, JFK) discusses why he dropped out of Yale and volunteered to go fight in Vietnam, some of the horrors that he witnessed during that war, and how the black soldiers in his platoon opened his eyes to injustice and saved his life. He talks about how writing a screenplay about the experience helped him process what he had been through in Vietnam, why it took him 16 years to get Platoon made, and how the ouster of Filipino strongman Ferdinand

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Jennifer Palmieri Declares Independence from a Man's World

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 23:36:07 -0000

Jennifer Palmieri served as the former Communications Director to President Barack Obama and then for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. She spent most of her career advocating for herself and for other women from "within the system," but now she says it is time from women to break from that system and rewrite the playbook in her new book She Proclaims: Our Declaration of Independence from a Man's World. Jennifer looks back at the roots of the American feminist movement, the surprising his

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Max Brooks Talks Sasquatches and Survival

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 19:20:06 -0000

Max Brooks (World War Z) discusses what a fictional Sasquatch massacre can teach us about the perils of eco-utopianism, what happens when man encroaches on nature, and those people who still refuse to wear a mask in public. Max says people in the 21st Century are exchanging resilience and know-how for technological convenience - a trade-off that may not serve us very well when we’re put to the test in a true emergency like the COVID-19 crisis. He talks about his childhood fascination with the legend o

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Ambassador John Bolton

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 21:45:00 -0000

Ambassador John Bolton reveals what he witnessed during his 17 tumultuous months as National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump. Bolton shares how he reacted to Trump’s eagerness to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, why the second North Korea summit was so hastily put together, and what took place behind closed doors in Trump’s infamous one-on-one meeting with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki. He says the President rarely ever reads and recalls his frustrations at trying to educate a Tr

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Mythbusters' Adam Savage

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Adam Savage (Mythbusters, MythBusters Junior) talks about building a working prototype of Marvel’s Iron Man suit for his series Savage Builds and what it was like to fly around with tiny jet engines strapped to his forearms. He discusses how Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson helped him take to the skies in a real World War I dogfight, why Adam's attempt recreate one of World War II’s most bizarre contraptions was less than successful, and how it served as a lesson in the importance of embracing

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Andrew Zimmern on Expanding Your Palate

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 18:49:00 -0000

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Remembering Carl Reiner

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 20:57:18 -0000

This Monday June 29, the world lost comedy legend Carl Reiner at the ripe old age 98. In his honor, we’re sharing a conversation that I had with Carl in 2017. He talks about working with Sid Caesar on Your Show of Shows, making The 2000 Year Old Man, and directing Steve Martin in The Jerk. He also discusses his pride over his son director Rob Reiner's career, his thoughts on politics and Donald Trump, his enduring friendship with Mel Brooks, and how he stays sharp and spry well into his 90s. See o

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Sir Michael Caine

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 07:01:00 -0000

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Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 18:15:30 -0000

Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates says that America overuses (and often MIS-uses) the military to achieve its strategic goals while neglecting other (and often better) non-military options. He discusses how Congress and the last 5 Presidents have allowed many of those non-military instruments of power to wither and die in the three decades after the Cold War. He suggests that the United States needs to be "less monastic and more Madison Avenue" in how we talk about the good we do around the worl

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Director Peter Medak on the Mad Genius of Peter Sellers

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Director Peter Medak looks back on his filming of the famously disastrous Peter Sellers movie Ghost in the Noonday Sun for his new documentary The Ghost of Peter Sellers. He discusses emotional toll that working with Peter Sellers took on him, why he thought that he would be the one director who could tame Sellers, and why he wanted to revisit that painful experience all these years later. He talks about the mad genius and superstitions of Peter Sellers, and why Sellers was one only happy playing a ch

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Father's Day Special with Mike Birbiglia

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Comedian Mike Birbiglia discusses his new book The New One: Painfully True Stories from a Reluctant Dad including the seven reasons he originally never wanted to be a parent, the lies couples tell themselves when they decide to have a baby, and the scourge of parents who try to push babies on other people. He opens up about he and his wife's initial troubles conceiving, reveals that President Barack Obama was the first person to learn that they were pregnant, and shares some pretty good parenting advi

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Malcolm Gladwell Explores the Overlooked and Misunderstood

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 23:59:00 -0000

(, , podcast) talks about growing up in a Mennonite community in Ontario, Canada, his brief flirtation with conservatism in his youth, and how his father’s boundless curiosity inspired him to always ask questions. We delve...

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Fox News Sunday Host Chris Wallace

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 07:22:00 -0000

Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace talks his five decades in broadcast journalism, following in the very big footsteps of his father Mike Wallace, what he’s learned from interviewing 7 different U.S. Presidents, and what it was like to date Walter Cronkite's daughter when he was a 16-year-old intern at CBS News. Then he discusses his new book Countdown 1945: The Extraordinary Story of the Atomic Bomb and the 116 Days That Changed the World. He reveals how Harry Truman agonized over the decision to use the atomic bomb, the surprising dissenter among his military generals who warned against it, and how Truman broke the news of the bomb to Joseph Stalin. He shares how the U.S. government managed to keep the enormous Manhattan Project under wraps, the many unknown variables that weighed on everyone involved in the mission, and his own touching experience of visiting the Enola Gay with an 80 year old Japanese woman who survived the Hiroshima blast.

Order Countdown 1945: The Extraordinary Story of the Atomic Bomb and the 116 Days That Changed the World on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. See Chris Wallace every weekend on Fox News Sunday and follow him on Twitter at @FoxNewsSunday.

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Michael Stuhlbarg Enters the Unsettling World of Shirley Jackson

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Actor Michael Stuhlbarg (Boardwalk Empire, The Shape of Water) discusses his new film about the complicated marriage of horror writer Shirley Jackson and literary critic Stanley Heyman, how Heyman influenced Shirley Jackson’s work, and how the filmmakers of Shirley imbued the movie with a distinctively Jackson-esque style. Michael also talks about his prolific career on stage and screen from training in mime with Marcel Marceau to working with directors like Guillermo del Toro and the Coen Brothers.

See Michael in Shirley available on Hulu, Video-on-Demand, and participating Drive-Ins starting June 5. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Lisa Napoli Celebrates 40 Years of CNN

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 00:18:00 -0000

On the 40th Anniversary of CNN, journalist Lisa Napoli discusses the founding and "wild west" early years of the upstart network that set out to change how the news gets delivered and consumed. Lisa reveals that few people to took Ted Turner seriously when he entered broadcasting and how Turner went from hating the news to founding the first all-news network in the basement of run-down former country club in Atlanta. She talks about the skeptics who questioned whether there was a enough news to fill a whole day and how being on the air 24-hours gave CNN a decided advantage over the big three networks. We also discuss Ted Turner’s political evolution, his flirtation with running for President, and his unlikely friendship with Fidel Castro. Then we look back on the lasting legacy of Ted Turner on the network and the impact of CNN on the world of broadcast journalism.

Order Lisa Napoli's book Up All Night: Ted Turner, CNN, and the Birth of 24-Hour News on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Follow Lisa at www.lisanapoli.com or on Twitter at @LisaNapoli. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 00:30:00 -0000

Former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy says America is facing a loneliness crisis. He discusses the many physical and mental impacts of feeling lonely and reveals that chronic loneliness is just as bad for you as smoking and obesity. He opens up about his bouts of loneliness during his life, how he came to realize that it’s much larger problem than he ever realized, and the U.S. Congressman who confided in him about his own struggle with loneliness. Vivek explains the difference between someone who is genuinely lonely vs. someone who enjoys being alone, how loneliness can often disguise itself as other health problems, and how loneliness once served an evolutionary function but might be hurting us in modern society. Then Vivek weighs in on the President’s handling of the Coronavirus pandemic, shares his insights from when he dealt with the Ebola and Zika outbreaks as Surgeon General, and offers advice for how to improve the quality of our online and socially distanced interactions during the quarantine.

Order Vivek Murthy's book Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Follow him at www.vivekmurthy.com or on twitter at @Vivek_Murthy. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Sian Clifford on the Million Dollar Quiz Show Heist

Thu, 28 May 2020 17:22:00 -0000

Actress Sian Clifford (Fleabag, Vanity Fair) talks about starring as Diana Ingram, the British woman accused of helping cheat Who Wants to Be a Millionaire out of a million bucks, in AMC's 3-part limited series Quiz. She recalls her memories of growing up watching Who Wants to Be A Millionaire with her own family and how the game show became a national obsession across the UK (and then all across the world). She talks about working with Michael Sheen and Matthew McFadden on Quiz, what it felt like to sit in the real Who Wants to Be a Millionaire hot seat, and what she hopes will happen when the Charles and Diana Ingram’s conviction is up for appeal this year. Plus Sian talks about her Emmy nominated role as Claire in the hit television series Fleabag and her longtime friendship with the shows creator and star Phoebe Waller Bridge.

See Sian Clifford in the three-part miniseries Quiz, premiering Sunday, May 31 at 10/9c on AMC. Visit www.amc.com for more information. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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David Frum on Surviving the "Trumpocalypse"

Mon, 25 May 2020 08:00:00 -0000

David Frum, former speechwriter and special assistant to President George W Bush, talks about his new book Trumpocalypse: Restoring American Democracy. He discusses Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis, how Trump is encouraging disinformation and dangerous conspiracy theories about this deadly virus, and whether Republicans may finally get on board with voting rights reforms now that it’s a literal matter of life and death. He illuminates how President Trump’s dangerous pattern of decision making continually makes matters worse for him and the nation and says that Donald Trump is his own "deep state" constantly self-sabotaging his own agenda while well meaning advisors and civil servants desperately try to save Donald Trump from Donald Trump. David describes Trumpism as a type of affinity fraud, asks what will happen when well-meaning Trump supporters realize that they’ve been duped, lays out Trump’s dark game plan for the 2020 election, and ponders what will become of the Republican party and our democratic institutions when Trump and Trumpism are relegated to the ash heap of history.

Order David Frum's book Trumpocalypse: Restoring American Democracy on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Follow David at www.davidfrum.com or on Twitter at @DavidFrum, and read more of David’s writing in the Atlantic Magazine.

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The Who's Roger Daltrey

Thu, 21 May 2020 23:59:15 -0000

This is a rebroadcast of a November 5, 2018 interview with Roger Daltrey, founder/lead singer of The Who. Roger discusses how the hardships experienced by Brits in WWII paved the way for the musical revolution of the 1960s, he recalls what it was like to be the poster-boys for the British “mod” movement (and why he never fully embraced the fad), and he remembers the “utter chaos” of performing at Woodstock. He talks about how he and Peter Townsend pushed each other’s creative boundaries during the making of the first rock opera Tommy, how he managed to resist the drug fueled excess the 60s, and how it led to quite a bit of tension with his bandmates - especially The Who’s famously reckless drummer Keith Moon. Roger also reveals how he processed Moon’s tragic death in 1978, how it led to the band’s breakup in the early 80s, and a how it took a Silicon Valley con man to finally reunite the band.

Order Roger Daltrey's new book Thanks a Lot, Mr. Kibblewhite: My Story on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Follow The Who on twitter at @TheWho. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Patton Oswalt on Comedy, Classic Films, and Turning 50

Mon, 18 May 2020 21:37:00 -0000

Patton Oswalt recalls coming up as a comedian at the dawn of the alt comedy scene, his first gig in Hollywood as a writer for Mad TV, and his prolific side gig as a script doctor on some of the biggest box-office hits of the past two decades. He reminisces about his friendship with the owner of LA’s most famous revival cinema and his love of the films of Billy Wilder and Sidney Lumet. Then Patton discusses his new Netflix special Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything, finding love again after the death of his first wife, and turning 50. Plus he talks about going to college in that wild party town of colonial Williamsburg, the time he donated to the crowdfunding page of one of his Twitter trolls, and how he got Netflix to build him a house for his new comedy special!

Watch Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything streaming on Netflix beginning May 19. Follow Patton at www.pattonoswalt.com or on Twitter at @PattonOswalt.

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Dr. Richard Haass Explains the World

Thu, 14 May 2020 06:50:00 -0000

Dr. Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, returns to discuss his new book The World: A Brief Introduction. He explains the foreign relations implications of the current pandemic, his concerns that the crisis may lead to more nationalism and isolationism instead of greater cooperation, and what the pandemic might mean for US-China relations. He addresses why terms like "world order" and "globalism" are such hot buttons for many Americans and why the negatives of globalism and trade often overshadow the many benefits. Dr. Haass talks about why we are still struggling to define the current post-Cold War period, and he proposes that the world may need to rethink its ideas about national sovereignty to address problems that know no borders such as COVID-19 and climate change. Then he outlines the most urgent global issues of the 21st Century, the regions of the world that worry him the most, and why he believes that the US might not want to get out of the nation-building business just yet.

Order Dr. Richard Haass's book The World: A Brief Introduction on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Learn more about the Council on Foreign Relations at www.cfr.org and follow Richard on Twitter at @RichardHaass.

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General Stanley McChrystal on Leadership

Mon, 11 May 2020 18:41:00 -0000

General Stanley McChrystal talks about the myths and reality of leadership. He shares how he came to reassess the legacy of his military hero General Robert E. Lee in the aftermath of Charlottseville, how he personally learned that the man at the top often gets credit he doesn’t deserve, and why leaders aren’t always judged by their results. He discusses a 15th century Chinese admiral who has become the symbol for that country’s global ambitions, why he didn’t realize that Coco Chanel was a real person, and one leadership flaw that he shares with Walt Disney. He reveals why he decided to include his former enemy in combat Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in the book, and what it was like to get into the dark mind of the Al Qaeda in Iraq leader. This episode is a rebroadcast of an interview that originally aired on November 19, 2018.

Order General McChrystal's book Leaders: Myth and Reality on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Peter Bogdanovich and TCM's Ben Mankiewicz

Thu, 07 May 2020 22:08:00 -0000

Filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich and Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz talk about TCM's new podcast The Plot Thickens: I'm Still Peter Bogdanovich. Ben reveals that he was initially nervous to meet Peter because of a longstanding controversy involving Ben’s grandfather, Orson Welles, and Citizen Kane. Peter shares stories about his friendships with Welles, Alfred Hitchcock, Howard Hawks, John Ford, and many others, and how their advice kept him from making some rookie mistakes when he eventually got to sit in the director's chair himself. He remembers making his first movie for Roger Corman with horror icon Boris Karloff, how he tricked the government of Singapore into letting him film the movie Saint Jack, and the scene that earned a 9-year-old Tatum O’Neal an Oscar for Paper Moon...but only after 2 days of shooting and 25 grueling takes! Peter discusses envy and success in Hollywood, his relationships with Cybill Shepherd and Dorothy Stratten, and how he managed to finish his favorite film They All Laughed in the wake of Stratten’s tragic murder. Then Ben Mankiewicz talks about the films of Edward G. Robinson, the passion that his fans have for Turner Classic Movies and the films of Hollywood’s Golden Age, and why he hopes (and indeed predicts) that moviegoers will eventually return to theaters when the Coronavirus finally subsides. Plus Peter does impressions of everyone from Cary Grant to Jimmy Stewart, recalls some of the famous movies that he turned down, and the time he got his ass kicked by the real Hell’s Angels on set!

Subscribe to The Plot Thickens: I’m Still Peter Bogdanovich on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more at www.theplotthickens.tcm.com. Follow Ben Mankiewicz on twitter at @BenMank77 and see him host some of the greatest films of all time every week on Turner Classic Movies. While you're at it, go back and watch some of Peter Bogdanovich's terrific films starting with my personal favorites The Last Picture Show, Paper Moon, What’s Up Doc, They All Laughed, and Saint Jack.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz

Mon, 04 May 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley) and Ben Schwartz (Parks and Rec) talk about their improv training at Second City and Upright Citizens Brigade, the fateful day they joined forces to become the improv team of Middleditch & Schwartz, and how they still get a kick out of trying to make each other crack up on stage. They reveal what it’s like to make-up a 45 minute play as they go along, how they keep as many as 20 characters straight (and even switch characters during a performance), and what happens when one of them ends the sketch, but the other one keeps on going. Then they discuss the transition from doing a performance that exists entirely in the moment to recording them for all eternity for their new Netflix specials. Plus Middleditch and Schwartz talk about their obsession with Daniel Day Lewis, the night they played Carnegie Hall, and more.

Their three completely improvised comedy specials Middleditch & Schwartz are now streaming on Netflix. Follow Thomas on Instagram at @Tombini, follow Ben on Twitter at @RejectedJokes, and visit their website www.middleditchandschwartz.com.

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Comedy Writer Alan Zweibel

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Comedy writer Alan Zweibel starting his career selling jokes for seven dollars apiece to the last of the Borscht Belt standups, some of the old comedians who are still using the same material that he wrote for them 40 years ago, and his very first manager, who served as the inspiration for Woody Allen’s Broadway Danny Rose. He recalls his early attempt at performing, carpooling to clubs with a young Billy Crystal, and the night he bombed on stage but caught the attention of Lorne Michaels. He his shares his memories of being one of the first writers at Saturday Night Live, his special relationship with the late Gilda Radner, and some of his creative battles with the network censors at NBC. Alan also discusses the genius of Garry Shandling, the delights and difficulties of working with him on the groundbreaking It’s Garry Shandling's Show, and what it’s like to be in Larry David’s world on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Plus the comedian who paid him by the pound, the infamous night when Milton Berle hosted Saturday Night Live, and the charity auction that went horribly wrong (and then inspired Alan’s next movie).

Order Alan Zweibel's terrific memoir Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Follow Alan on Twitter at @AlanZweibel or at www.alanzweibel.com, and look for his new movie Here Today starring Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish coming out this Fall.

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Wagner Moura on Diplomats and Drug Lords

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Wagner Moura discusses how his first career as a journalist informs his acting, what it was like to play ruthless drug lord Pablo Escobar on Netflix’s Narcos, and how he gained (and then lost) all of that weight for the role. He talks about his fascination with the late UN diplomat Sergio de Mello, playing him in the new film Sergio, and how Iraq might have turned out very differently if de Mello had lived to complete his mission there. He says working with war correspondent and documentary filmmaker Greg Barker added extra authenticity to Sergio, he reveals that they even used real-life refugees as extras on the film, and he suggests that the political leaders who are now dealing with the Coronavirus could learn from Sergio de Mello's example.

See Wagner Moura in Sergio, no streaming on Netflix. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Nathan Lane Finally Gets a Stunt Double!

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Nathan Lane talks about why his fans always think he’s Jewish, how his older brother inspired him to get into acting, and some of roles he’s played on Broadway in shows like from Guys and Dolls to The Producers. He laments the that the Coronavirus could have a lasting impact on the theatre, but says that he is hoping to soon realize his lifelong dream of starring in Death of a Salesman on Broadway. He discusses starring in the return of Showtime’s Penny Dreadful, how the new season transports the show from Victorian London to California on the cusp of World War II, and what it was like to finally star in something where he gets an actual stunt double. He reveals his love for the noir detective fiction of Raymond Chandler, how Penny Dreadful exposes the social tensions simmering under the surface of 1930s LA, and how his character was partly inspired by a real attorney turned Nazi hunter. Plus Nathan remembers the late playwright Terrence McNally, George C. Scott as Noel Coward, and the grueling experience of starring with 80s TV magician Doug Henning in the notorious Broadway musical flop Merlin.

See Nathan Lane in Penny Dreadful: City of Angels premiering this Sunday, April 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime. Visit www.showtime.com for more information.

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Alicia Silverstone and Rob Corddry

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Alicia Silverstone and Rob Corddry talk about their new film Bad Therapy, and how the filmmaker's own nightmare experience with a couples counselor inspired the movie. Alicia shares memories from Clueless, and stories from working with playwright David Mamet and the late Peter O’Toole. Rob talks about his original audition for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, some of the low-budget, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants field pieces that he did in the early days of the show, and why he always gets cast as creepy assholes and pedophiles!

See Rob and Alicia's new film Bad Therapy on Video on Demand, and follow them on Twitter at @AliciaSilv and @robcorddry.

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Larry the Cable Guy

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Comedian Dan Whitney talks about the origins of his popular character "Larry the Cable Guy," his education in southern redneck culture while going to college in Florida, and how Larry went from being a bit he did on talk radio shows to a wildly popular stage act. He shares some of his comedic inspirations, how he tests out new jokes on Twitter, and what he does when people on social media don’t like his politics. He also discusses what touring with his pal Jeff Foxworthy and his unlikely friendship with comedian Lewis Black. Plus "Larry the Cable Guy" weighs in on the sketchy crowd at Walmart after midnight, his love/hate relationship with the county fair, and how he is surviving the Coronavirus quarantine.

His new comedy special LARRY THE CABLE GUY: REMAIN SEATED is now available through Comedy Dynamics Network on Comcast, Amazon Prime Video, Spectrum, Apple TV, Dish, Google Play, DirecTV, Vimeo, YouTube, and other streaming platforms. You can also listen to the album on SirusXM, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Pandora, Sound Cloud, and more. Visit www.larrythecableguy.com and follow him on twitter at @GitRDoneLarry.

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Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee on the Promise/Peril of Genetic Research

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 20:03:00 -0000

Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee is a Pulitzer Prize-winning best-selling author and a doctor at the forefront of cancer and genetic research. He talks about a new two-part documentary that he and Ken Burns produced for PBS titled The Gene: An Intimate History. He discusses the fascinating history of the genetic research and those scientists who have worked to understand heredity. He shares how the eugenics movement set legitimate genetic research back in the early 20th Century and why, even today, the specter of eugenics still looms large as scientists ponder the possibility of gene editing and designer babies. Dr. Murkergee talks about how an unlikely public/private partnership accomplished the monumental task of sequencing the entire human genome and how modern day gene hunters are using that information to potentially treat some of the world’s rarest and most debilitating diseases. He also revels how that same research could be applied to treating and even curing major diseases like cancer and how genetic science is currently playing a vital role in the fight against the Coronavirus.

Part 2 of The Gene: An Intimate History airs Tuesday 4/14 on PBS. You can also stream Part 1 and 2 on www.PBS.org and other PBS streaming platforms. Visit Siddhartha Mukherjee at www.siddharthamukherjee.com and follow him on Twitter at @DrSidMukherjee.

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Dr. David Kessler Talks Processed Foods and Pandemics

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 21:29:00 -0000

Former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler discusses how his own battle to control his weight helped inspire him to write a book about the health dangers of processed foods. He explains the difference between how our bodies digest fast carbs and slow carbs and why fad diets that cut out carbs all together might not be such a good idea. David outlines the long list of diseases that can be traced to heavy consumption of processed foods, some of the tricks that the food industry employs to mislead consumers about what is in many processed foods, and he suggests some changes that he would like to make to the nutritional labels that he helped create when he was head of the FDA under Presidents Bush and Clinton. He also expresses his concern over America's heavy reliance on processed junk foods at a time when fresh meats and produce are in short supply, he shares what he is saying to former Vice-President Joe Biden as a member of the Biden campaign's Coronavirus advisory committee, and he gives his own practical health recommendations for keeping your family safe from COVID-19.

Order Dr. David Kessler's book Fast Carbs, Slow Carbs: The Simple Truth About Food, Weight, and Disease on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Follow Dr. Kessler on Twitter at @DavidKesslerMD.

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Vincent Cassel on Westworld S3's Dystopian Future

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 21:38:00 -0000

Actor Vincent Cassel (Ocean's 12, Black Swan, Jason Bourne) talks about joining the cast of one of his favorite TV series Westworld, playing a reclusive billionaire with a dark view of humanity, and how his character attempts to make order out of chaos. Vincent discusses how Westworld Season 3 deals with the very real problem of big data (and who controls it) and says that it has inspired him to be a lot more careful about the information that he shares on his devices. He also reminisces about the career of his father, famous french actor Jean-Pierre Cassel, and how Gene Kelly discovered his dad on the movie An American in Paris. He recalls being heavily influenced by Hollywood films as a kid, learning to tap dance from Broadway legend Michael Bennett, and why he originally tried to join the circus before getting into acting. Vincent reveals how he persuaded director Steven Soderbergh to let him do his own stunts in Ocean's 12, how an acting teacher inspired his role as the controlling choreographer in Black Swan, and why this Frenchman always seems to get cast as a Russian.

See Vincent Cassel in Season 3 of Westworld, airing Sundays on HBO. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Tom Pelphrey Joins Netflix's Ozark

Thu, 02 Apr 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Actor Tom Pelphrey talks about playing Laura Linney's brother in Season 3 of Ozark and what it’s like to work with Jason Bateman as a director. He also discusses his upcoming role as legendary Hollywood director Joseph Mankiewicz in David Fincher’s film Mank. He recalls his early days working on the soap operas Guiding Light and As the World Turns, keeping up with the grueling production schedule of daytime television, and how it requires an actor to memorize fast and think on their feet. He discusses the learning curve involved with switching from soaps to film and primetime television, his popular roles on the hit series Banshee and Iron Fist, and whether Marvel fans or soap-opera fans are the most obsessive.

Season 3 of Ozark is streaming now on Netflix. Look for Mank coming out on Netflix this fall and follow Tom on Twitter at @Tom Pelphrey. Today's episode was sponsored by the podcast Afternoon Cyber Tea with Anne Johnson.

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Newt Gingrich Reports from Italy's COVID-19 Crisis

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 23:02:16 -0000

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich reports on the Coronavirus crisis from Italy, where his wife Callista serves as U.S. Ambassador the Vatican. He offers some lessons for America from Italy’s early failure to stop the spread, some tips from what he say of South Korea’s successful containment of the virus, and his own theory of how COVID-19 made it’s way from China to Milan. He also talks about how the pandemic will affect US-China relations, how he hopes it could lead to regime change in Iran, and how to best address the economic impact here at home in America. Newt is also out with a new novel to help distract from the stress of these difficult times, and he discusses how top secret military research from World War II and the Cold War inspired the plot of his latest book, why the Russians make the perfect perennial villains, how the murderous Iranian General Qasem Soleimani lives on in his latest book, and how to kill a man with a poisonous snail!

Order Newt Gingrich's new book SHAKEDOWN: A NOVEL on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Check out his podcast Newt’s World wherever you listen to podcasts, visit his website at www.gingrich360.com, and follow him on twitter at @NewtGingrich.

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Vice's Jesse Angelo and Isobel Yeung

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Vice Media’s President of Global News and Entertainment Jesse Angelo and Vice reporter Isobel Yeung discuss the move of Vice's flagship television program VICE from HBO to Showtime. Isobel talks about her groundbreaking coverage of the Syrian civil war and China’s forced detention of Uighur muslims. She shares what’s it like doing serious journalism in authoritarian nations where media is tightly controlled, and Jesse discusses the complicated process of keeping his reporters safe in those places. Jesse also talks about his move from Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp to the free-wheeling culture at Vice, why Vice will focus on under-reported stories beyond our borders while the rest of the media obsess over the election in 2020, and how he sees Vice filling a demand for grittier, less-produced news in contrast to the more traditional cable news outlets.

The new season of VICE premieres this Sunday, March 29 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime. Visit www.vice.com for more information and follow Isobel and Jesse on Twitter at @isobelyeung and @jessemangelo. Today's episode was sponsored by American Home Shield. American Home Shield, America’s most preferred home warranty, gives you a plan when stuff breaks down in your home. Go to www.ahs.com/kick today to save $50, and start protecting your home and budget from inevitable breakdowns.

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Neurotic Filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 00:41:33 -0000

Director Barry Sonnenfeld (The Addams Family, Men in Black, Get Shorty) talks recalls his first gig out of film school as a cameraman for adult films, working with Joel and Ethan Coen on their debut picture Blood Simple, and why you never want to receive a cake on a Coen Bros movie. Barry discusses his difficulties working with Penny Marshall on Big, how Rob Reiner taught him about something called “the silent schmuck,” and why he and Danny Devito had such a hard time convincing a studio to make Get Shorty. He talks about his fight with Larry David over who is the most neurotic person on the planet, his astounding ability to beat any celebrity at leg wrestling, and his secret to making children cry on camera. Plus what it is like to work with Will Smith and bunch of Confederate Civil War reenactors, Eleanor Roosevelt Jokes, and more.

Order Barry's new book Barry Sonnenfeld, Call Your Mother: Memoirs of a Neurotic Filmmaker on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold.

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Pod Save America's Dan Pfeiffer

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Pod Save America's Dan Pfeiffer says it's not just enough for Democrats to defeat Donald Trump in 2020, but they have to defeat Trumpism in the long-run. He recalls witnessing some of the early signs of Trumpism when he was White House Communications Director under President Obama, and he explains how the Democratic party was allowed to collapse during the Obama years. Dan believes that voter expansion is the key to Democrats victory in 2020 and beyond, he suggests a host of ideas to grow the voter rolls from granting statehood to the District of Columbia to enfranchising 16 year-olds, and he offers proposals for how make the Presidency more resilient against corruption and abuse of power in the future. He talks about the resurgence of Joe Biden’s campaign, whether Bernie still has a shot at the nomination, and what we can learn from the failed campaign of Michael Bloomberg. Plus Dan reveals the right wing media organization that he says is more dangerous than Breitbart and bigger than Fox News, the person Dan calls the worst person in American politics (hint: it’s not Donald Trump), and he let’s loose on his favorite punching bag - former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

Order Dan Pfeiffer's new book Un-Trumping America: A Plan to Make America a Democracy Again. Listen and subscribe to Dan’s podcast Pod Save America on Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen, and follow him on twitter at @danpfeiffer. Today's episode was sponsored by Kronos HR solutions. Visit www.kronos.com/hrswagger to learn more.

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The 1000 Voices of Hank Azaria

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Hank Azaria talks about his 31 seasons on The Simpsons, a few of the 150 plus characters he’s played on the show, and some of the classic movie stars who inspired some of his popular voices for The Simpsons. Hank reveals how he came up with his distinctive sports announcer voice for IFC's Brockmire, he does his best to sell me on the great American pastime, but admits that often times Major League Baseball can’t get out of its own way. We discuss Brockmire Season 4’s dystopian vision of the future 10 years down the line and why it might not be too far from reality. Plus the tortured genius of Peter Sellers, Hank’s love for the original man of 1000 voices Mel Blanc, and he reveals which of his many characters from The Simpsons is his favorite.

The 4th and final season of Brockmire premieres March 18 at 10PM ET on IFC. Today's episode was sponsored by the podcast Afternoon Cyber Tea. Join Ann Johnson, Corporate Vice President for Cybersecurity Solutions at Microsoft on Afternoon Cyber Tea, and learn from cybersecurity experts about defending your organization and systems from attack. Subscribe to Afternoon Cyber Tea on on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and PodcastOne.

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Tennis Great John McEnroe

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 08:00:00 -0000

This is a rebroadcast of a 2017 interview with John McEnroe, who talks about tennis, his famous temper, and his book But Seriously. He discusses winning his first grand slam at age 20, his life after the pros, and a recurring nightmare he has about his 1984 French Open match with Ivan Lendl. McEnroe talks about some of his famous arguments with tennis umpires, and how his temper helped his game in his younger years but he says it held him back later in his career. He’ll handicap this year’s Wimbledon finals, give his characteristically frank take on the state of the game and a few things he’d like to do away with in tennis. Plus, he’ll even give me a few tips on how to improve my serve. John McEnroe's book But Seriously on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold.

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Sports Reporter Ben Cohen on the Science of Streaks

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 08:00:00 -0000

Wall Street Journal reporter Ben Cohen tells how a child-hood basketball game first got him interested in the mystery of winning streaks, how his work as a sports writer only further convinced him that there is such a thing as being "in the zone," and what recent science has to say about it. He also describes how streaks can negatively bias everyone from baseball umpires to asylum judges, warns there’s an important corollary to the "Hot Hand" that can cost you big-time, and cautions that there’s a big difference between streaks that can be harnessed and those that can’t. Plus Ben shares a tip from baseball on how to tell if you can capitalize on a streak, some advice from basketball star Steph Curry on when to take more risks, and the story of how Shakespeare wrote some of his greatest works in the most unlikely of times.

Order his book THE HOT HAND: The Mystery and Science of Streaks on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Read his reporting regularly in the Wall Street Journal and follow him on Twitter at @bzcohen. Today's episode is sponsored by American Home Shield, the nation's largest home warranty provider. Visit www.ahs.com/kick for $50 off ANY plan.

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Rob Riggle Goes on an Adventure

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Rob Riggle returns to shares his lifelong love of history and why he wanted to blend comedy and education for his new series Rob Riggle: Global Investigator. He discusses a few of his recent adventures from searching for the Holy Grail to diving for pirate treasure. Rob what it’s like to play a “heightened version of himself” on the show, and what happens when some fans don’t know the difference between the real Rob and his character. Plus Rob braves snakes, caves, sharks, quicksand, UFO’s, and more!

Rob Riggle: Global Investigator premieres Sunday March 8 at 10PM ET on Discovery. Visit www.discovery.com for more information and follow Rob on twitter at @RobRiggle. Today's episode was sponsored by Kronos HR solutions.

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Bryan Cranston on Becoming Walter White and Life Before Acting

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 18:33:42 -0000

Actor Bryan Cranston recalls a difficult childhood and the two year road trip that changed his life. He shares some of his adventures before acting including traveling as a carny, catching shoplifters as security guard, and the time he ended up a suspect in a murder investigation. He talks about getting a crash course in comedy from Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, landing the role of a lifetime on Breaking Bad, and how he built one of the most iconic characters in the history of television. Bryan Cranston also gives some advice for aspiring actors, reveals how his life has changed since "Walter White," and why he loves making small talk with old people.

Order Bryan Cranston's bestselling memoir A Life in Parts on Amazon or download the audiobook at www.audible.com. Follow Bryan on Twitter at @BryanCranston.

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Ezra Klein on America's Polarization Problem

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Vox co-founder Ezra Klein reveals how America's political system is polarizing us and how we are polarizing it with disastrous results. He explains that the Founding Fathers planned for many things, but they did not designed a system of government that was intended to function effectively in times of hyper partisanship. He points out that politics came into being to represent deep social cleavages, but now politics is the cleavage, and our political affiliation has grown into a mega-identity that is consuming our lives, making us angrier, and destroying friendships and families. We discuss how politicians and voters got stuck in a feedback loop of negative partisanship and how polarization has lead many of our leaders in Washington to conclude that bipartisanship is actually irrational. Plus we discuss how demographic threat is fueling political anger, how the rise of extremism correlates with a decline in the influence of parties, and Ezra offers a few recipes for how to reunite the country and make America more democratic.

Order Ezra Klein's new book Why We're Polarized on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Read his political analysis at vox.com, follow him on Twitter at @ezraklein, and subscribe to The Ezra Klein Show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen. Today's podcast was sponsored by Wave.

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Adam Davidson on the Passion Economy

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Adam Davidson, creator of NPR's Planet Money podcast and award-winning New Yorker staff writer, says that the 21st-century economic paradigm offers new ways of making money, fresh paths toward professional fulfillment, and unprecedented opportunities for curious, ambitious individuals to combine the things they love with their careers. He talks about his father and grandfather as examples of two different approaches to work and money, and says we’re entering an economy that combines the best of both. How explains how to tell between a hobby and a passion, how globalization and the internet allow you to monetize that passion like never before, and why it’s important to have what he calls "the Goldilocks of business models" to avoid getting undercut or replaced by bigger companies, foreign competition, or automation. Plus he shares some surprising examples of people who are making the passion economy work for them including one man who only sells to the Amish, a brush company that took the most basic of products and turned it into a high-priced specialty item for NASA, and an accountant who found his passion by helping others pursue their own.

Order Adam's new his book The Passion Economy: The New Rules for Thriving in the Twenty-First Century on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold, and follow Adam at www.adamdavidson.com or on Twitter at @adamdavidson. Today's episode is sponsored Wave and American Home Shield.

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Whitmer Thomas Honors His Mom Through Comedy

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Comedian Whitmer Thomas talks about returning to his hometown to film his first hour-long comedy special at Alabama's legendary Flora-Bama Lounge where his late mother used to perform with her band Syntwister. He says his music and comedy is his way of honoring his mom, and in a way, he’s now fulfilling her dream by pursuing his own. We also discuss some of his most recent skating injuries, what it was like touring with comedian Bo Burnham, and how he went from being an angst-ridden emo kid in high school to parodying emo bands in his act. Plus we talk about Pee Wee Herman, Donald Trump, Blink 182 as the ultimate parody band, his early obsession with Zach Galifianakis, and the time a 3-year-old Whitmer got kidnapped by his own obsessed fan!

His hour-long comedy special Whitmer Thomas: The Golden One debuts on HBO on February 22 at 10PM E/P. Follow him on Twitter at @WhitmerThomas. Today's episode was sponsored by Online Trading Academy and Wave.

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Scoot McNairy on Narcos: Mexico

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Actor Scoot McNairy talks about starring in season 2 of Narcos: Mexico as a DEA agent who heads an "off-the-books" operation to avenge the death of a fellow agent and take down a ruthless drug lord. He recalls growing up in Texas, coping with dyslexia as a kid, and his early ambition to be a wildlife cinematographer. He discusses how he prepares for a role and how most of his characters are drawn from a personal friend or acquaintance. He discusses spending time with real DEA agents for Narcos: Mexico, goes into the history of the Mexican narcotics cartels, and speaks frankly about the endless war on drugs.

Watch Season 2 of Narcos: Mexico now streaming on Netflix. Today's episode was sponsored by Wave.

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Doris Kearns Goodwin Reveals the Real George Washington

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin talks about executive producing the History Channel miniseries Washington, some things she’s observed from watching Steven Spielberg on the set of Lincoln, and how the collaborative process of making Washington helped her through her husband's death. She discuss why she wanted to go beyond the highlights of George Washington’s life to explore the real man, and she debunks and confirms some common legends about our founding father. Doris reveals the long held personal grudge that led George Washington to join the American Revolution, the intense ambition that drove him to succeed, and how owning and exploiting slaves became essential to that success.

The three night television event Washington begins Sunday February 16 at 8PM E/P on The History Channel. Today's episode was sponsored by Wave and Kronos.

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Philip Rucker on Trump's Testing of America

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -0000

The Washington Post's DC bureau chief Philip Rucker discusses his new book A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trump's Testing of America. He shares stories from White House insiders about the time President Trump tried to overturn the Foreign Corrupt Practices act so American businesses could bribe foreign governments, the time Trump wanted to turn a profit on the US military by turning our troops into a mercenary force, and the Pentagon meeting when Trump called his decorated generals a bunch of "babies and losers." Phil discusses the falling out between the President and his former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, how some world leaders have tried to turn Trump against his own advisors, and how the most powerful leader in the world solicited other heads of state for the Nobel Prize. Plus we talk about Impeachment, Trump tweets, Bolton, Mueller, and more.

Order A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trump's Testing of America on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. You can read more by Philip Rucker in The Washington Post and follow him on twitter at @philliprucker. Today's episode was sponsored by Online Trading Academy and Native deodorant and toothpaste.

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Tom Papa Says Hang in There, You're Doing Great!

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -0000

In this age of insurmountable consumption of media where bad news travels fast from all directions, comedian Tom Papa wants to remind us to take care of ourselves, embrace who you’ve become, and absorb the beauty of life in his new Netflix special Tom Papa: You're Doing Great! He reveals where his trademark optimism comes from, why he rejects the cynicism often associated with standup comedy, and what he learned about being true to your comedic voice while touring with Jerry Seinfeld. He opens up about his anxiety over sending his daughter off to college and warning her that most men’s “nice guy act” is a total fraud. Plus Tom talks about his own real life ghost story, the lie of social media, the myth of "the good old days," and the symbiotic relationship between baking and writing comedy.

Tom’s new standup special Tom Papa: You're Doing Great is now streaming on Netflix, and look for his book You're Doing Great in stores May 12. Visit www.tompapa.com for his upcoming tour dates and follow him on twitter at @TomPapa.

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Allan Lichtman on Impeachment, Gun Control, and the Election

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Professor Allan J. Lichtman explains why he feels that it is necessary for America to repeal the Second Amendment to clear the way for sensible gun reforms and clarifies that repealing the Second Amendment does not mean that the Federal government is going to take your guns away. Professor Lichtman discusses why the outrage following every mass shooting quickly devolves into inaction by politicians, how the gun regulation lobby more effective can become more effective, and how to debunk some of the myths about gun violence propagated by the NRA. He tells the history of the National Rifle Association from its origins as a group intended to improve marksmanship in 1871 to the power special interest lobby that it is today. Plus the man who has successfully predicted the last 8 elections shares his data on the 2020 race, why election polls are failing us, and his thoughts on the Impeachment of Donald Trump.

Order his book Repeal the Second Amendment: The Case for a Safer America on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Follow him on Twitter at @AllanLicthman.

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Russell Peters: Citizen of the World

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Comedian Russell Peters talks about his life as a middle-aged man dealing with health issues, relationships and fatherhood. He discusses filming his new standup special Russell Peters: Deported in Mumbai, whether he’d consider doing a Bollywood movie, and why he was exposed to black culture more than his own Indian heritage when he was growing up in Toronto. Russell recalls getting some early mentorship from the late George Carlin, becoming the first comedian to hit it big on YouTube, and how he still maintains a sense of intimacy when performing in stadiums before tens of thousands of people.

Watch Russell Peters: Deported on Amazon Prime Video. Keep up with Russell at www.russellpeters.com and on twitter at @therealrussellp. Today's podcast was sponsored by Wave. Wave helps freelancers, consultants, and small business owners make, move, and manage your money with accounting, invoicing, payments, and payroll services that are easy-to-use, secure, and free. Visit www.waveapps.com/kick.

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GOP Guru Rick Wilson on How Dems Can Beat Trump

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Republican political strategist Rick Wilson follows up his #1 Bestseller Everything Trump Touches Dies with a detailed playbook for how Democrats can defeat Trump in 2020. He warns Democratic candidates that this election is not about policy but a simple referendum on the presidency of Donald Trump. He also suggests that this race will be settled in fewer than 15 states, and Democrats need to focus on winning in the electoral college instead getting lulled into a false sense of security by Trump's poor poll numbers. He also says that this election will be a knock-down, drag-out bar fight unlike any others, and Dems should be prepared to go after Trump on his perceived strength - the economy, impeachment, and even his family.

Order Rick's book Running Against the Devil: A Plot to Save America from Trump --and Democrats from Themselves on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Keep up with Rick at www.therickwilson.com or on twitter at @TheRickWilson, and look for his regular column at www.thedailybeast.com.

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Dr. Daniel Levitin Debunks the Myths of Aging

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Neuroscientist and cognitive psychologist Dr. Daniel Levitin reveals that growing old is a lot more than just a gradual period of decline and indeed we get better at many aspects of life as we age. He explains how memory really works, why online brain games probably don’t do all that they promise, and how taking up a new hobby or starting a second career could be the best thing for keeping the mind sharp. Dan debunks most longevity diets and supplements as well as a whole bunch of common myths from the idea that old people get more depressed to the belief that the elderly need less sleep. Plus Dan shares the secrets of some of the world's sharpest and most active seniors from former Secretary of State George Shultz to the Dalai Lama.

Order Dan's new book Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Keep up with Dan at www.daniellevitin.com or on twitter at @DanLevitin. Today's episode was sponsored by Wave invoicing software.

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BBC's Seven Worlds, One Planet

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Seven Worlds, One Planet is a seven part television event that marks the first time that BBC Studio’s Emmy-winning Natural History Unit has explored all the planet’s continents in a single series. Executive producer Jonny Keeling, and producers Emma Napper and Chadden Hunter discuss how BBC documentaries have turned nature programming into global television events, the logistics of filming on seven continents at once, and how their first episode is hoping raise awareness and support for fire relief efforts in Australia. They talk about some North American polar bears who have found a surprising way to adapt to climate change, how agriculture is threatening over 2000 endangered species in South America, and how Pacific fisherman who had nearly driven the whale shark extinct but are now finding ways to help this magnificent creature thrive again. Plus snakes, scary kangaroos, the real Tasmanian Devil, and a monkey that looks like Don King!

The seven-part series premiere of Seven Worlds, One Planet airs on Saturday, January 18th at 9:00 pm ET/PT on BBC AMERICA, AMC, IFC and SundanceTV. Visit www.bbcamerica.com for more information. Today's episode was sponsored by Online Trading Academy.

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Greta Gerwig on Art, Commerce, and Female Ambition

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Director/writer Greta Gerwig discusses her Oscar nominated film adaptation of the beloved classic Little Women, how she imbued her movie with even more of author Louisa May Alcott's own personality, and why it was important for her to give a nod to the author's original intended ending. She talks about the status of female directors and writers in Hollywood, recalls a conversation she once had with a studio executive about how women talk, and how Meryll Streep inspired some of the film's most insightful dialogue about a woman’s role in 19th Century society. Greta also reveals that she was secretly pregnant while filming Little Women and what it is like to be in competition with her husband Noah Baumbach for Best Picture this year. Plus we talk about why actresses in the 30’s and 40’s got better roles than they do today, our mutual love of the films of George Cukor and Greta Garbo, and the wicked wit of Dorthy Parker.

See Greta Gerwig's wonderful film Little Women in theaters now. Check your local listings for showtimes or visit www.littlewomen.movie. Today's episode was sponsored by Kronos HR Solutions.

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The Power of Showing Up for Your Kids

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Drs. Daniel J. Siegel and TIna Payne Bryson, the bestselling authors of The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline discuss their new book The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired. They explain what it means to really show up for your children and how your interactions with your kids shape the course of their lives and literally altering their physical brain. They discuss the latest discoveries in attachment science, some tips for encouraging the "baby scientist" in you kid, and why sometimes with children, it’s best to answer a question with a question. Plus we talk about the perils of hyper-parenting, the difference between soothing a child and coddling them, and how even people who experienced neglect and abuse from their own parents can break the cycle for the next generation.

Order Daniel and Tina's book The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Today's episode is sponsored by Native Deodorant. Visit www.nativedeodorant.com and use promo code KICK for 20% off your first purchase.

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Ambassador Samantha Power on Idealism, Diplomacy, and Human Rights

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 09:00:00 -0000

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power recalls her early years as a freelance journalist covering the Siege of Sarajevo, how her Pulitzer-winning book about genocide got the attention of a young Senator Barack Obama, and what it was like for her to go from being an idealistic human rights advocate on the outside of government to working for change in the White House and at the U.N. She gives an inside account of the discussions in the Oval Office over how to handle the Syrian civil war and talks about how deeply that crisis affected her. Plus Ambassador Power discusses the rise of China, America’s loss of moral authority under President Trump, and the power of empathy and understanding in politics and diplomacy.

Order Samantha Power's book The Education of an Idealist: A Memoir on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Keep up with her at www.samanthapower.com and on twitter at @SamanthaJPower.

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The Blue Zones' Dan Buettner on Eating for Longevity

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 18:01:31 -0000

Dan Buettner has become an expert on longevity ever since he wrote his groundbreaking National Geographic article on the Blue Zones, the five places in the world where the most people live to 100 or older. One of the key factors is diet, and Dan has been studying what the oldest people in the world eat for more than 15 years. He reveals the health benefits of dietary monotony and periodic fasting, why HOW you eat is just as important as WHAT you eat, and why you want to load up on beans and veggies instead of meat and eggs. He shares some cooking secrets that he learned in the kitchens of grandmas in all five of the Blue Zones, including a Sardinian minestrone that has all the properties of a "superfood," a simple dish that he calls healthiest breakfast in the world, and the Greek Island of Ikaria’s unique take on the Mediterranean diet. He talks about traveling to Okinawa, Japan with his remarkably spry 84-year-old dad, and visiting 100 year old Costa Rican cowboy who still goes riding every day.

Order Dan's new bestselling cookbook The Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100. Learn more at www.bluezones.com and follow him on Twitter at @bluezones.

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Dr. Phil

Mon, 30 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -0000

says that some of his guests still surprise him even after 2000+ episodes of his #1 daytime talk show . He recalls how losing a football game in junior high school inspired him to go into psychology, what it was like to go...

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Tim Robbins

Thu, 26 Dec 2019 19:54:06 -0000

Actor/director Tim Robbins discusses why his classic political mockumentary BOB ROBERTS is more relevant now than ever. He says Harvey Weinstein reminds him of the shady operators he knew growing up in New York’s Greenwich Village, he recalls studying real studio execs for his role in Robert Altman’s THE PLAYER, and he remembers Altman's mentoring Tim's leap from actor to director. He discusses how he funded his first play while he was still a struggling actor, how his play THE NEW COLOSSUS is putting personal faces to the immigration issue, and why he’s using The Actors Gang to bring theatre into California prisons. Plus Tim opens up about turning 60, weighs in on the current struggle for the soul of the Democratic Party, and recounts the time he heckled Henry Kissinger outside of a famous celebrity restaurant.

Visit www.theactorsgang.com for tickets or to learn more. See Tim in Alan Ball’s excellent series HERE AND NOW with a subscription to HBO, HBO GO, or HBO NOW. Keep up with Tim at www.timrobbins.net or on twitter at @TimRobbins1.

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Bret Baier on 3 Days That Changed WW II

Mon, 23 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -0000

For three days in November, 1943, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin met in Tehran, Iran and made decisions that would change the course of World War II. It's the subject of a new book by Fox News' Bret Baier titled Three Days at the Brink: FDR's Daring Gamble to Win World War II, and today Bret Baier shares how his latest book fits into his Three Days in History trilogy, why the Tehran Conference was so crucial to Allied victory, and how it also set the stage for the Cold War. He reveals why Stalin held all the cards going into Tehran, how FDR managed to use Stalin's eavesdropping to his advantage, and why Roosevelt had to risk hurting Churchill’s feelings in order to make a deal. He also discusses how lots and lots of alcohol greased the wheels of diplomacy among the three leaders, similarities between the personal diplomacy styles of FDR and President Donald Trump, and some key leadership lessons from those three days in Tehran. Plus this beltway insider weighs in on the mood in Washington as Congress moves forward with Impeachment.

Special thanks to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum and the Ronald Reagan National Defense Forum for hosting our interview. Order Bret Baier's book Three Days at the Brink: FDR's Daring Gamble to Win World War II on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Also check out the other books in his Three Days trilogy Three Days in January: Dwight Eisenhower's Final Mission and Three Days in Moscow: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Soviet Empire. Watch Special Report with Bret Baier five days a week on Fox News and follow him on Twitter at @BretBaier. Today's podcast was sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which wants to remind you not to drive drunk or high this holiday season.

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The Art of Being Mike Nichols

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Ash Carter and Sam Kashner discuss their new book about the EGOT-winning director Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Birdcage). They talk about his early years as one of the founders of the improv group that would become Second City, the story of how Nichols joined up with Elaine May to make comedy history, and how the creative differences that broke up Nichols and May opened the door for Mike Nichols to direct for Broadway and Hollywood. They reveal how the first time director got the nerve to stand up to movie mogul Jack Warner during the filming of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, why Nichols originally wanted to cast Robert Redford in The Graduate, and how Orson Wells tried to usurp him as director on Catch-22. They share stories of Nichols’ courtship and marriage of news anchor Diane Sawyer, his lavish life, his many friendships, and a lesson in how to go out in style.

Order their book Life isn't everything: Mike Nichols, as remembered by 150 of his closest friends on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Follow Sam and Ask on Twitter at @SamKashner and @Psmithjourno. Today's episode was sponsored by Oris Watches. Shop their selection of Swiss made mechanical watches at www.oris.ch/kick.

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Craig Ferguson's Hobo Fabulous Life

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Craig Ferguson talks about his new limited series Hobo Fabulous, why he wanted to do a rockumentary-style show about his US comedy tour, and how he's ready to take a long break from the road after a 2 month American bus tour. Craig recalls that he never watched a late night television show in his life before taking over The Late Late Show on CBS, what it was like working with David Letterman as a producer, and how doing the show 5 nights a week for 10 years made him fall out of love with show-business. He says that late shows have become all about viral clips and clicks on the internet instead putting on a show for the tv audience and that he wouldn’t want to do a late night show in today’s politically charged environment. We also discuss his decision to become a US citizen more than 10 years ago, the one state in the US that won’t grant him honorary citizenship, and why he’s still paying taxes in the US although he's now returned to his native land of Scotland. Plus we talk about Groundskeeper Willie from the Simpsons, the Scottish production of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, and Craig’s breakout role as "Bing Hitler."

All six episodes of Hobo Fabulous are available now on the Comedy Dynamics Network, iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Comcast, Spectrum, Dish and other platforms. Visit www.comedydynamics.com for more information. Today's episode was sponsored by Oris Watches. Shop their selection of Swiss made mechanical watches at www.oris.ch/kick.

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Abby McEnany's Work in Progress

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Abby McEnany discusses her start in Chicago’s improv scene and how her one woman show turned into her new Showtime series Work in Progress. She reveals how Julia Sweeney’s Saturday Night Live character “Pat” made her life a living hell for a while and how she convinced Julia to join the cast of her new show. Abby talks about her perennial problem of getting misgendered in the women’s restroom, why the 51 year old sometimes feels like a "square" in the younger gay and transgender community, and why she avoids all social media.

Abby's show Work in Progress airs Sundays At 11pm ET/PT on Showtime. Today's episode was sponsored by Oris Watches. Shop their selection of Swiss made mechanical watches at www.oris.ch/kick.

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Andrew Marantz on Embedding with the "Deplorables"

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Andrew Marantz, a staff writer for the New Yorker, talks about his experience embedding with the so called "Deplorables," and how he got a rare insider's glimpse into the pundits, trolls, and provocateurs who drive the conversation on the alt-right. He recalls his strange relationship with a right wing media influencer who is able to manipulate America’s political conversation, spread conspiracy theories, and even put words in the mouth of President Trump. He also discusses how Silicon Valley’s laissez faire libertarianism opened the door hate-mongers and conspiracy theorists, how social media algorithms actually promote that type of content, and why he says it’s time for tech leaders to stop hiding behind the 1st Amendment. Plus Andrew describes how Reddit is now cracking down on hate speech, the bizarre story of the neo-nazi who is married to a jewish woman, and the pitiful demise of right wing gadfly Milo Yiannopoulos.

Order Adam's book Antisocial: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopians, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Read Andrew Marantz regularly in The New Yorker and follow him on twitter at @AndrewMarantz.

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Master of Suspense Dean Koontz

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 01:52:13 -0000

Master of suspense Dean Koontz recalls the literary agent who said he'd never be a bestselling author and how he defied expectations with fourteen #1 New York Times Bestsellers. He discusses his new collection of six short suspense stories for Amazon, why creating an antihero with no memory and no identity appealed to him, and those stories have to say about the blessing and the curse of technology in our lives. Dean reveals the meticulous research that goes into his writing, how much of himself he puts into his books, and why his love of dogs always seems to make it into his work.

Nameless, collection of short stories by Dean Koontz is available for free to Prime and Kindle Unlimited members. Keep up with Dean at www.deankoontz.com and on twitter at @deankoontz. Today's episode was sponsored by Kronos HR Solutions.

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Mo Rocca Honors History's Forgotten Figures

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 09:00:00 -0000

CBS Sunday Morning correspondent and humorist Mo Rocca has always loved obituaries but he says that not every notable life has gotten the send-off it deserves. He's attempting to right those wrongs with his Mobituaries podcast and his new book Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving. We discuss celebrities who died on the same day, historical figures who were eclipsed by the actors who played them in the movies, and the old debate over whether famous people die in pairs or threes. Mo tells the stories of lesser known figures like Jimmy Carter’s brother Billy, the original Siamese twins Ang and Chang, and the world’s first fashion influencer. Plus we cover the unceremonious sendoff of founding father Thomas Paine, how Lawrence Welk proved it’s hip to be square, and famous rest stops along the New Jersey Turnpike.

Order his book Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Reliving on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Subscribe to the Mobituaries podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you like to listen. You can also catch Mo on CBS Sunday Morning and follow him on twitter at @MoRocca. Today's episode was sponsored by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally's new podcast In Bed with Nick and Megan, Kendra Scott Jewelry (use promo code KICK for 20% off), and Invitae genetic testing.

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Alex Gibney on Putin's Public Enemy #1

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Oscar and Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney discusses his new film Citizen K and what it was like to profile Russia's billionaire oil oligarch turned political activist Mikhail Khodorkovsky. He talks about the parallel rise of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Vladimir Putin amid the chaos of post-Soviet Russia and the public showdown between the two men that put Khodorkovsky on Putin’s enemies list and eventually landed him in prison. Alex reveals why Khodorkovsky refused to flee Russia before his arrest and the personal transformation that he underwent during his decade in a remote Russian prison. He shares how Khodorkovsky got out of prison and escaped Russia with $500 million in the bank, how the ex-patriot is now waging a political war against Vladimir Putin from London, and whether he worries that Putin might could target him for assassination. Plus Alex reveals what Mikhail Khodorkovsky knows about Russia’s interference in the 2016 US election, why Vladimir Putin employs a cast of actors to make himself look good, and what Mikhail Khodorkovsky believes is Putin’s worst nightmare.

See Alex Gibney's new documentary film Citizen K now out in theaters and follow Alex on twitter at @AlexGibneyfilm. Today episode was sponsored by Uncommitted: Iowa 2020, an original podcast from VICE News that's available every Tuesday for free on Spotify and Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood now out on digital.

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Senator Sherrod Brown Talks Senate History, Impeachment, and 2020

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Senator Sherrod Brown reveals how he first learned about the rich history of his desk in the U.S. Senate and how he grappled with some of the contradictions and controversies of the men who sat there before him. We discuss the singing cowboy turned one term Senator from Idaho who once spent a night in Bull Conner’s jail in Alabama and the Senator from Wisconsin who was a legendary penny pincher and never missed a vote. He talks about getting back to a more movement-oriented definition of Progressivism, his belief in the dignity of work, and why he feels it’s a winning message for Democrats running against President Trump in 2020. Plus Senator Brown opens up about his decision to stay out of the Democratic Presidential Primary, whether or not he might reconsider that choice in light recent calls for him to jump into the race, and how he plans to approach a potential impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate.

Order Senator Brown's book Desk 88: Eight Progressive Senators Who Changed America on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold, and follow him on Twitter at @SenSherrodBrown. Today episode was sponsored by Uncommitted: Iowa 2020, an original podcast from VICE News that's available every Tuesday for free on Spotify.

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Malcolm Nance on Trump, Ukraine, and Russia

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -0000

As the Ukraine scandal continues to heat up, MSNBC intelligence expert Malcolm Nance explains why US support for Ukraine is in our own national interest, what Rudy Giuliani is getting from being the President’s bag man to Ukraine, and how Paul Manafort started the conspiracy theories about Ukrainian involvement in the 2016 election. He also shares that Russia has been keeping tabs on Donald Trump since as early as 1977, how Trump went from an unwitting asset of Russia to a willing asset, and why he sees Vladimir Putin’s fingerprints all over Trump’s withdrawal from Northern Syria. Plus Malcolm weighs in on Hillary Clinton’s assertion that Democratic Presidential contender Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian asset.

Order Malcolm Nance's new book The Plot to Betray America: How Team Trump Embraced Our Enemies, Compromised Our Security, and How We Can Fix It on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold, and follow at www.MalcolmNance.com or on Twitter at @MalcolmNance.

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Lawrence Lessig on Solving "Unrepresentativeness" in America

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 22:17:42 -0000

Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig discusses the fundamental issue that he says underlies many of our current political problems - "unrepresentativeness." He offers some creative prescriptions for how to cure America’s unrepresentativeness problem such as public funding of election campaigns (including campaigns for Congress), a radical restructuring of the United States Senate, and some ways to reform the Electoral College without having to change the Constitution. He also says we the people are complicit in America’s political dysfunction, and suggests some ways that Americans can take a more proactive role in government such as "civic juries" and citizen referenda. Plus I ask this distinguished legal scholar to weigh in on the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

Order Lawrence Lessig's new book They Don't Represent Us: Reclaiming Our Democracy on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Follow him at www.lessig.com or on Twitter at @Lessig. Today's episode was sponsored by Kendra Scott Jewelry. Visit www.kendrascott.com and use promo code KICK for 20% off your next purchase or mention this ad in your local Kendra Scott store.

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Mitch Albom on the Little Girl Who Changed His Life

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Bestselling author Mitch Albom returns to the podcast to talk about how he came to run an orphanage in earthquake ravaged Haiti, how recent political instability in Haiti has led to some frightening encounters for the kids, and the hardest part about running an orphanage. He shares how he became a surrogate father to a young girl with a terminal illness, how he learned what it means to be "kid tough," and how a girl named Chika taught him some valuable lessons about the important things in life.

Order Mitch's touching book Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Keep up with him at www.mitchalbom.com or on Twitter at @MitchAlbom. Today’s episode was sponsored by Bayer.

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Jeff Garlin Finds Joy in Comedy

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Actor/comedian Jeff Garlin (The Goldbergs, Curb Your Enthusiasm) reveals how Jimmy Durante inspired him to get into comedy as a boy, what it was like rooming with a young Conan O'Brien when he started at Chicago’s legendary improv group Second City, and the time he witnessed one of Larry David’s famous fights with his audience at a comedy club. He talks about his worst gig as a comedian, why he always goes on stage to a different song, and why not everyone should follow their dream to Hollywood. Plus Jeff shares how he kicked the sugar habit, what you can order in a catalogue for fat guys, and how he almost got fired from his hit show The Goldbergs.

Jeff's new hourlong standup special Jeff Garlin: Our Man In Chicago is available on Netflix starting November 12. You can also catch Jeff on The Goldbergs and the next season of Curb Your Enthusiasm coming in 2020. Today’s episode was sponsored by Afternoon Cyber Tea podcast and Kendra Scott Jewelry. Visit www.kendrascott.com and use promo code KICK for 20% off your next order.

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Joe Posnanski on Harry Houdini's Enduring Magic

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 21:10:28 -0000

Bestselling sports writer Joe Posnanski recalls delving into the rabbit hole of magician Harry Houdini’s legendary life and separating fact from the fiction invented by Houdini and his followers. Joe discusses the handcuffs that Houdini almost couldn’t get out of, some of the more bizarre things people challenged him to escape, and how Houdini upped the ante with increasingly more dangerous escapes to keep audiences interested. He explains why many people falsely believe that the magician died performing his most famous trick, and we talk about the secret code that Houdini’s widow Bess used to try to make contact with him from beyond the grave. Joe also gives us entre into the world of Houdini superfans from the couple who committed a crime to honor their hero to the mysterious man who calls himself "Houdini’s ghost." Plus he reveals what it’s like inside David Copperfield’s private magic warehouse in Las Vegas, how Houdini learned from some of the turn of the century’s most bizarre sideshow acts, and his daughter’s favorite Houdini revenge story.

Order Joe Posnanski's wonderful new book The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Keep up with him at JoePosnanski.com or on Twitter at @JPosnanski. Today’s episode was sponsored by Kronos HR Solutions and Avalara Sales Tax Solutions.

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Edward Norton Talks Noir, Jazz, and Lost New York

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Golden Globe-winner Edward Norton talks about his film Motherless Brooklyn's 20 year journey to the big screen and what it was like to write, direct, and star in this neo-noir masterpiece. He shares some of the things he’s learned from working with directors like Milos Forman and Woody Allen. Edward talks about the real life New York powerbroker who inspired his film’s antagonist, his own grandfather’s crusade for low income housing, and the things that get lost in the service of progress. Plus we delve into our mutual love of jazz, classic noir detective films, and Manhattan landmarks of a bygone era.

Don't miss Edward Norton's new film Motherless Brooklyn now showing in theaters. Order Stuart Russell's new book Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Today’s episode was sponsored by Afternoon Cyber Tea podcast, Invitae, and Purotrader. Check out www.Purotrader.com and use the promo code NEWS for a chance to win a day at the Porsche Racing Experience in Los Angeles or Atlanta.

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Stuart Russell on Artificial Intelligence

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Artificial Intelligence researcher Stuart Russell says that machines are probably a long way from achieving the kind of self-awareness portrayed in films like 2001 and The Predator, but he warns the greater danger is that they might obey our instructions too well. We get into the myriad unintended consequences of AI from the social media algorithms that are actually rewiring our political preferences to how AI that is intended to solve global climate change could go horribly wrong. He suggests that we will need to rethink the standard model of how people use tools and technology to achieve our goals, and he gives just a few examples of the many ways AI will change our lives for the better if we get it right.

Order Stuart Russell's new book Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Today’s episode was sponsored by Bayer, Avalara Sales Tax Solutions, and Belkin. Visit www.belkin.com and use promo code KICKASS for 30% off all Belkin products.

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John Hodgman on Secret Societies and Marginal Celebrity

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 19:34:47 -0000

Actor, comedian, and humorist John Hodgman talks about the strange sense of validation he gets from his airline loyalty program, the perks and perils of hotel living, and the best way to get thrown into Disneyland Jail. We discuss his memorable appearances on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, how his Daily Show colleague Al Madrigal got him into standup, and his podcast where he mediates minor disputes between squabbling couples. He recalls his early days as a fancy New York literary agent, the worst book manuscript he ever read, and the writer who became his stalker. Plus we talk about John’s remarkable skill at gaining entry into all manner of exclusive, and sometimes sinister clubs, from Yale’s secret societies and meetings of the New World Order, to the Church of Scientology’s Flag Land Base and Mar-a-Lago.

Order John Hodgman's book Medallion Status: True Stories from Secret Rooms on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Be sure to subscribe to the Judge John Hodgman podcast, and keep up with John at www.JohnHodgman.com or on Twitter at @Hodgman.

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Chef David Chang

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Chef David Chang shares that he originally wanted to be Tiger Woods not Wolfgang Puck, and he eventually got into cooking because he hated his job in finance. He recalls learning in some of the best kitchens in New York and Tokyo, then rebelling against New York’s fine dining establishment, and how struggling to get Momofuku off the ground shaped his success. Dave talks about his new Netflix series Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, smoking weed and touring Vancouver with Seth Rogen for the show, and exploring the mysteries of Marrakech with Chrissy Teigen. Plus he talks about his love/hate relationship with the California food scene, customers who Instagram their food, how food delivery apps are disrupting the restaurant industry, and what that means for chefs.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner is now available on Netflix. Keep up with David at momofuku.com or on Twitter at @DavidChang, and be sure to subscribe to his podcast The David Chang Show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen. Today’s episode was sponsored by Avalara Sales Tax Solutions, and Belkin. Visit www.belkin.com and use promo code KICKASS for 30% off all Belkin products.

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Susan Rice Dishes Some Tough Love

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Ambassador Susan Rice has been at the table during the most pressing international crises of the past 30 years and she discusses it in her new memoir Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting For. She talk about her family’s unique American story and how playing peacekeeper during her parents troubled marriage made her grow up fast but also prepared her for a life in international diplomacy. She recalls her baptism of fire when she joined the Clinton administration and immediately got thrown into the deep end with back-to-back crises in Somalia and Rwanda. She describes the US Embassy bombings in 1998 as the hardest day in her career, her contentious relationship with Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, and how she became the public face of the 2012 Embassy attack in Benghazi. Plus she speculates on what might have motivated President Trump to suddenly pull out of Northern Syria, she says Vladimir Putin is a creep and a pig, and she talks about her famous moves on the dance floor.

Order Susan Rice's book Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting For on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Today’s episode was sponsored by Avalara Sales Tax Solutions, the Invitae Genetic Test, and the TRTL Travel Pillow.

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John Kasich on Empowering Everyday Americans

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Governor John Kasich shares some of the stories of every day Americans doing great things that inspired his latest book to write the book It's Up to Us: Ten Little Ways We Can Bring About Big Change. This two-time Presidential candidate says that the actions of ordinary people matter way more to this country than whose occupying the White House. He talks about the importance of breaking free of political echo chambers, and shares what kind of news outlets make it into his own daily newsfeed. We talk about his uncanny abilities as a political prognosticator, and why he’s staying out of the Republican presidential primary (at least for now). Plus John Kasich on thinking about eternity, what he’d like his obituary to say about him, and the meditative power of playing golf.

Order his new book It’s Up to Us: Ten Little Ways We Can Bring About Big Change on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Look for him regularly as a political contributor on CNN, and keep up with him at www.johnkasich.com or on Twitter at @JohnKasich. Todays episode was sponsored by Kronos HR solutions, Purple Mattress, Belkin, and Purotrader.

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Blackstone's Stephen Schwarzman on What It Takes

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Blackstone Co-founder, CEO, and Chairman Stephen Schwarzman shares lessons for how to think about ambition and scale, risk and opportunities, and how to achieve success through the relentless pursuit of excellence. He talks about his middle class beginnings as the son of a linen salesman in Philadelphia, getting paired with a literal Nazi for a roommate at Yale University, and his own version of a summer at sea - working on Scandinavian shipping boats. He reveals how a famous statesman convinced him to go into business instead of politics and how he was completely unqualified for his first job in finance. He recalls how he took $400,000 in 1985 and turned Blackstone into an investment firm that today manages over $500 billion, and how he capitalized the fund just days before Black Monday. He shares how an early loss completely changed how Blackstone evaluates risk, why the firm jumped into real estate at a time when no one was buying or selling, and how the company weathered the 2008 financial crisis. Plus Stephen Schwarzman discusses his his friendship with President Donald Trump, his efforts to backchannel trade negotiations between the US and China, and why the Chinese know him by the nickname “Farmer Blackstone.”

Order Stephen Schwarzman's book What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Today’s episode was sponsored by Avalara Sales Tax Solutions.

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Dave Asprey on Hacking Longevity

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Dave Asprey talks about his plan to live to 180 and his new book Super Human: The Bulletproof Plan to Age Backward and Maybe Even Live Forever. He opens up about a traumatic health crisis that got him interested in health and longevity as a teenager and his battle with early cognitive decline that set him on a path to hacking the human brain. He shares the one food that he never ever eats, the benefits of periodic fasting, and how he manages to feel more rested on less sleep. We talk about the importance of light, gut health, and even jaw alignment to our wellness. Plus he describes some of the more cutting edge treatments that he’s tried from stem cell injections to blood transfusions, including a couple that he wished he hadn’t tried, and he reveals why Russians may have the inside track on hacking longevity.

Order Dave Asprey's new book Super Human: The Bulletproof Plan to Age Backward and Maybe Even Live Forever on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Subcribe to his podcast Bulletproof Radio on Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen, and keep up with him at www.bulletproof.com or on Twitter at @BulletproofExec. Today’s episode was sponsored by TRTL the world's most comfortable travel pillow. Visit www.trtltravel.com and use the code KICK for 20% off.

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Neil deGrasse Tyson Answers Your Questions

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson discusses some of his favorite letters from fans on a diverse array of topics from Pluto and Bigfoot to race and religion. He shares touching personal letters from his cousin wondering about her deceased father’s spirit, and a mother whose autistic son is torn between what he learns in Hebrew school and what he learns from Cosmos. He talks about the tweet that enraged the musician Moby, the rapper who insisted that the earth is flat, and a man who asked Neil to help promote his "perpetual motion machine." Plus Neil answers your questions about black holes, the speed of light, the moon landing, and more.

Order Neil deGrasse Tyson's new book Letters from an Astrophysicist on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Subscribe to his podcast Startalk on Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen, follow him on twitter at @NeilTyson, and visit his webpage at www.haydenplanitarium.org/tyson. Today’s episode was sponsored by Avalara sales tax solutions and Purple Mattress. Text KICK to 84-888 for a FREE Purple pillow with the purchase of a Purple Mattress.

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Ryan Holiday on the Power of Stillness

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Bestselling author Ryan Holiday discusses his new book Stillness Is the Key, how he became the leading modern proponent of Stoicism, and why many people today misunderstand what it means to be a Stoic. He says ancient Greeks and Romans were every bit as distracted as we are today and reveals some of their secrets to ignoring the chaos and finding focus. He also shares how he finds silence and serenity in his own life and how his daily routine keeps him calm and prepared even on the most hectic of days. He discusses his definition of "stillness," how TV’s Mr. Rogers personified it, how Tiger Woods eventually attained it, and why President Donald Trump is the precise antithesis of it. We talk about our mutual love of Winston Churchill, how learning to see the world like an artist helped Churchill keep it together while freeing the world from tyranny, and why he once altered a priceless painting by Peter Paul Rubens.

Order Ryan Holiday's new book Stillness Is the Key on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Keep up with Ryan at www.ryanholiday.com and on Twitter at @RyanHoliday. Today’s episode was sponsored by BetterHelp online counseling, Avalara sales tax software, Kronos HR solutions, and Purotrader.com.

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Jeannie Gaffigan on Humor and Healing

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Jeannie Gaffigan reveals how she went from a perfectly normal life to being rushed into surgery for a pear-sized brain tumor over the coarse of an Easter Weekend, why things got worse just when she thought she was in the clear, and how she learned that laughter truly IS the best medicine. She reveals how she and her husband comedian Jim Gaffigan write jokes together, talks about Jim’s surprising swagger when he first began romancing her, and how she finally knew that he was "the one." She discusses why she and Jim decided to end The Jim Gaffigan Show after two seasons, what it was like to balance a tv family with their real family, and how they manage to keep track of five children.

Order Jeannie's book When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Follow Jeannie on twitter at @JeannieGaffigan. Today’s episode was sponsored by Capella University's online doctoral program.

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America's Actress Meryl Streep

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Meryl Streep is arguably the greatest actress of this or any generation. She has starred in more than 60 films, won 3 Oscars, and received a record setting 21 nominations. Entertainment reporter Erin Carlson discusses Streep's illustrious acting career, her advocacy for women off the screen, and her deeply guarded personal life. Erin delves Jane Fonda’s mentorship of Streep on the film Julia, Meryl’s rivalries with Jessica Lang, and the behind-the-scenes drama between her and Dustin Hoffman on Kramer vs Kramer. She suggests that the late actor John Cazale was the love of Meryl Streep’s life, she shares how he how helped her hone her craft, and reveals how Meryl coped with his tragic untimely death. We talk about acting over 40, how Meryl became a champion for better roles and equal pay for actresses, and how she navigated doing business with disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein. Plus Erin weighs in on Meryl Streep’s best performances and most underrated films.

Order Erin's book Queen Meryl: The Iconic Roles, Heroic Deeds, and Legendary Life of Meryl Streep on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Today’s episode was sponsored by Stitcher's new podcast Lost at the Smithsonian. Subscribe on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, or favorite podcast app.

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Brad Meltzer on History's Heroes

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0000

New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer grew tired of his kids’ obsession with reality TV and people who were famous for being famous so he began to write children's books about real heroes from history. He talks about the newest additions to his Ordinary People Change the World series I Am Walt Disney and I Am Marie Curie, and reveals some of his own childhood heroes. He says he puts just as much historical research into his children’s books as he does into his bestselling political thrillers and explains why it was so important to show kids that even famous historical figures started out somewhere. He talks about the new PBS TV series based on his books and how it’s a dream come true for a man who grew up with Sesame Street and Mr. Rodgers. Plus Brad announces his next book for his adult readers - a sequel to his best-selling novel The Escape Artist.

Order I am Marie Curie and I am Walt Disney and other books in Brad’s Ordinary People Change the World series for kids on Amazon or wherever books are sold. Visit www.bradmeltzer.com for more information, and follow Brad on Twitter at @BradMeltzer. Today’s episode was sponsored by PuroTrader, the online community for cigar lovers. Visit www.purotrader.com and use the promo code NEWS for a chance to win a day at the Porsche Racing Experience in Los Angeles or Atlanta.

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Scott Aukerman Talks Between Two Ferns

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Scott Aukerman is the co-creator of hilariously awkward talk show Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis. He talks about expanding the Ferns universe for Between Two Ferns: The Movie, how he and Zach improvised the entire film, and what it was to direct his hero David Letterman. Scott reveals how Between Two Ferns was born out of his and Zach's love of bad cable access programming, why actual ferns were so essential to the look of the show, and how they managed to snag President Barack Obama as a guest. Plus we celebrate 10 years of Scott's podcast Comedy Bang! Bang!

Between Two Ferns: The Movie comes out on Netflix beginning this Friday, September 20. Subscribe to Scott’s podcast Comedy Bang! Bang! on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you listen and follow Scott on Twitter at @Scott Aukerman. Today's episode was sponsored by Bank of America's The Academy for Consumer and Small Business and Invitae.

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Randall Munroe on Hard Ways to Do Simple Things

Mon, 16 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Randall Munroe is the former NASA physicist turned bestselling cartoonist behind XKCD and the What If blog. He talks about his new book How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems. Randall reveals the cost of putting a lava moat around your house, how to move your house with helicopters, how to throw a coin or just about anything across a river, and how Serena Williams takes down a drone. Plus Randall explains fishing with electricity, why scientists still haven’t figured out how ice works, and why the US military once nuked a bunch of beer cans.

Order Randall Munroe's new his book How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold, and view some of his wonderful cartoons at www.xkcd.com. Today's episode was sponsored by Capella University's online doctoral program.

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Caitlin Doughty Answers Kids' Questions About Death

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Caitlin Doughty is a best-selling author, funeral director, and host of the popular YouTube channel Ask a Mortician. She returns to the podcast to answer children's questions about death such as "why don’t we eat human’s after they die?" and "what if they make a mistake and bury me in coma?" She says it’s illegal to own or sell human remains, but there's a loophole that might allow you to keep human bones and you can pretty much do anything with cremated ashes. She explains how a whole person's ashes can fit into a tiny urn and what happens when a cemetery runs out of room She unravels some famous movie myths about death, takes me behind closed doors at a funeral directors convention, and opens up about a mortician's worst nightmare!

Buy Caitlin's latest book Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals About Death on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Follow her on Twitter at @TheGoodDeath, subscribe to her YouTube series Ask a Mortician, and learn more at www.caitlindoughty.com or www.orderofthegooddeath.com. This episode is sponsored by Kronos HR solutions, BetterHelp online counseling, White Castle microwavable sliders, and MyBookie.

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Salman Rushdie on the "Age of Anything Can Happen"

Mon, 09 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Acclaimed author Salman Rushdie talks about drawing on Cervantes and pop culture for his new novel Quichotte. He describes having to consume a massive amount of "trash tv" in preparation for the book, how Quichotte addresses the most pressing issues of our time from opioids to immigration, and why the “the age of anything can happen” may not necessarily a good thing! Rushdie opens up about his early career as a stage actor, his secret longing to be a second rate spy novelist, and why he finally decided to make a novelist a character in one of his stories. Then we talk about the moment when a writer finds his own voice, how he developed his signature style of magical realism, and how it manifests in his latest novel with everything from mastodons to talking crickets. Plus we talk about the fatwa that was issued against him 30 years ago and what it was like to play that scary event for comedy in the latest season of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Order Salman Rushdie's latest book Quichotte: A Novel on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Follow him on Twitter at @SalmanRushdie and visit salmanrushdie.com for a list of his upcoming public appearances (unless your fanatic trying to assassinate him...in which case disregard this). This episode is sponsored by Purotrader and Invitae.

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Comedian Anthony Jeselnik

Thu, 05 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Comedian Anthony Jeselnik revels in making audiences a little uncomfortable and now he's making his fellow comedians uncomfortable as host of the hilarious new interview show Good Talk with Anthony Jeselnik. He shares how the Saturday Night Live bit "Deep Thoughts with Jack Handey" inspired his uniquely off-beat style of comedy, the time he auditioned to be the anchor of SNL’s Weekend Update, and some pretty smart advice he once got from Lorne Michaels on how to write a late night monologue. Anthony recalls the Comedy Central Roast that changed his life and what makes for the perfect roast speech. We delve into how Good Talk deconstructs the late night talk show, why this famously confident comedian never does self-deprecating humor, the power of silence in standup, and the one thing that Anthony says is the most important element of good comedy. Plus talks about how to out-deadpan Tig Notaro, what it was like to roast a future President, and the comedic genius of HBO’s Deadwood.

Good Talk with Anthony Jeselnik premieres this Friday, September 6 at 11 p.m. ET/PT on Comedy Central. Keep up with Anthony Jeselnik at www.anthonyjeselnik.com or on twitter at @Anthony Jeselnik. This episode is sponsored by MyBookie, and White Castle.

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Frank Abagnale Reveals Scams, Cons, and Rip-offs

Mon, 02 Sep 2019 08:00:00 -0000

If you’ve ever seen the Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated film Catch Me If You Can, then you know the story of the boy con artist Frank Abagnale. Abagnale has since reformed his ways and now he is a leading expert on fraud, forgery and cybersecurity who consults for Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, and law enforcement. Frank discusses his early life of crime, how he turned it all around, and how he’s helping to protect Americans from scammers. He recalls how wearing the uniform of a pilot or a doctor played on people’s trust of authority, he reveals what kind of personalities were most susceptible to his schemes, and he warns that technology has made it much easier for crooks to pull off the same cons that he got away with in the 1960s. He discusses which demographics are most vulnerable to fraud and cautions that it actually has nothing to do with how smart you are. We talk about a range of specific scams including those spam emails from a "Nigerian Prince" and automated phone calls purporting to be the IRS. Frank also gets into how con artists are using crowd funding sites, dating apps, and even ancestry companies to rip you off. Plus Frank reveals why he doesn’t own a debit card and why he wants Americans to do away with passwords once and for all.

Order Frank Abagnale's new book Scam Me If You Can: Simple Strategies to Outsmart Today’s Rip-Off Artists on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Today's podcast was sponsored by Bank of America’s The Academy for Consumer and Small Business, Capella University's online doctoral program, and BetterHelp online counseling.

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Senator Jeff Merkley

Thu, 29 Aug 2019 08:10:00 -0000

In 2018 Senator Jeff Merkley posted a viral video that triggered worldwide outrage at the forced separation of migrant children from their parents. Now over a year later, he claims that there are still families who haven’t been reunited and that family separations are the result of a deliberate effort by the Trump Administration to deter immigrants by inflicting maximum pain. Senator Merkley makes the case that Trump’s zero tolerance policy toward illegal immigration is violating both US and international laws, and he reveals what happened when he confronted his old Senate colleague Jeff Sessions about this issue. He recalls his travel through war-torn Central America in the 80’s and actually claims that those countries are much worse off today. Plus he shares heart-breaking stories from refugees who risked everything to escape worst imaginable kind of evil at the hands of gangs and drug cartels.

Order Senator Jeff Merkley's book America Is Better Than This: Trump's War Against Migrant Families on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Follow Senator Merkley on Twitter at @SenJeffMerkley. This episode is sponsored by Anchor. Anchor is a Spotify-owned company that makes it easy for anyone to make a podcast, for free. Get started at www.anchor.fm/kickassnews. We're also sponsored by AncestryDNA. Go to www.ancestry.com/kick today for 20% off your AncestryDNA kit.

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Josh Gates Explores Legends and Lost Treasures

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Adventurer and explorer Josh Gates has spent his career crossing the globe to investigate the world’s most intriguing mysteries as host of Expedition Unknown on Discovery Network. In the age of Google Maps, he says there are still unexplored parts of the world full of wonders to be uncovered. The self-described “opened-minded skeptic” talks his obsession with Yeti and why these "mystery primates" appear again and again in cultures all around the world. He reveals how Expedition Unknown helped recover Judy Garland’s stolen ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz, new forensic evidence they found in the case of D.B. Cooper, and recent developments that have lead him to revisit several topics in the new season. Josh recalls some of his craziest adventures in Season 7 such as braving the Siberian winter to look into the bizarre Dyatlov Pass incident and scouring the ancient caves of Israel and Jordan for the lost Dead Sea Scrolls. He walks me through how he decides which legends to chase, which ones are too dangerous, how to handle a shakedown by local authorities in a strange country, and the most awkward of conversations - how to divvy up a treasure!

Expedition Unknown airs Wednesdays at 9PM Eastern on Discovery Network. Keep up with Josh at www.joshuagates.com or on Twitter at @JoshuaGates. This episode is sponsored by Capella University, MyBookie, and White Castle.

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Former Secretary of State George Shultz

Thu, 22 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -0000

This is a rebroadcast of an interview with former Secretary of State George Shultz that originally aired January 19, 2018. Secretary Shultz recalls his close friendship with President Ronald Reagan, the moment he realized that Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev was someone the U.S. could do business with, and Reagan's Pershing missile moment as a masterclass in peace through strength. He suggests that President Trump may soon need to have a "Pershing moment" of his own, reveals what he learned in a meeting years ago with a young Vladimir Putin, and weighs in as an economist on the Trump tax reform act. Plus George Shultz discusses why Ronald Reagan never bluffed, why foreign policy is a lot like gardening, and why the prospect of nuclear war still keeps him up at night.

George Shultz is a fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution and you can read some of his articles at www.hoover.org.

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Philip Mudd on the CIA after 9/11

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Former deputy director of the CIA Counterterrorist Center Philip Mudd talks about the radical transformation that the intelligence community underwent in the first 90 days after 9/11, why CIA was never intended to be in the business of housing and interrogating prisoners, and how the CIA reached the decision to outsource the job to America’s allies at so-called black sites in what came to be known as "the Program." He discusses some of the 13 enhanced interrogation methods that were approved by the U.S. Justice Department, how they delineated between aggressive interrogation and torture, and which techniques worked and which ones did not. He says CIA operators express few regrets about what they did in "the Program," and many still feel they were thrown under the bus by members of Congress and also by former President Barack Obama.

Order Philip Mudd's book Black Site: The CIA in the Post-9/11 World on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold and keep up with Philip at www.PhilMudd.com. This episode is sponsored by Capella University, White Castle, and PuroTrader.

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Down the Rabbit Hole w/ the Amazing Johnathan

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -0000

The Amazing Johnathan Documentary begins as a profile on a uniquely deranged magician, who built a career out of shock and deception in the 1980s, but it quickly becomes the bizarre story about the unravelling of his documentarian Ben Berman. Johnathan Szeles and Ben Berman join me at the world famous Magic Castle to talk about the crazy experience of making this film. Johnathan discusses the heart condition that lead to his retirement in 2014, what his doctors say 5 years after giving him a year to live, and why Johnathan believes the secret to his survival is either stem cells, meth, or both! Ben talks about having to relinquish some control as a director and follow the Amazing Johnathan wherever this wild ride took him including having to contend with a second crew filming a totally different documentary about Amazing Johnathan. Plus the psychology of magic, the gamesmanship of elaborate pranks, why David Copperfield and Chris Angel hate each others’ guts, and Johnathan knows a lot about faking your own death!

The Amazing Johnathan Documentary is available on Hulu and in select theaters beginning Friday, August 16. Keep up with the Amazing Jonathan at theamazingjohnathan.com or on Twitter at @TheAmazingJ, and follow Ben Berman on Twitter at @LipsBerman. This episode is sponsored by Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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George Takei Brings WWII Injustice to the Screen

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Long before Star Trek, a very young George Takei was one of 145,000 Japanese Americans held in internment camps during World War II, and now he returns to this formative experience in his life as a historical consultant and star in the second season of AMC's horror anthology series The Terror: Infamy. He talks about the painful experience of having his whole family uprooted by their own government, the eerie sense of déjà vu that he got when he first arrived on the set of The Terror: Infamy, and how he served as a link to the past for the other actors on the show. He recalls being forced to live in a horse stall at a California race track for two months and then getting shipped across the country to an internment camp in the swamps of Arkansas, but that it all just seemed like a great adventure to an innocent boy who was oblivious discrimination and injustice. George explains why he takes issue with the term "Japanese internment camps," why his parents were nearly deported over a citizenship questionnaire, and why he fears that history might be repeating itself under President Donald Trump. Plus he reveals how an early experience in the camps partly inspired him to go into acting, and we talk a little Star Trek.

The Terror: Infamy premieres on Monday, August 12 at 9/8 Central on AMC. Order George Takei’s new graphic novel They Called Us Enemy on Amazon or wherever books are sold and follow him on Twitter at @GeorgeTakei. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America’s The Academy for Consumer and Small Business, Kronos HR Solutions, and BetterHelp.

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Wyatt Russell on Embracing Everyday Magic

Thu, 08 Aug 2019 01:00:26 -0000

Actor Wyatt Russell is the star of the most original show on television AMC's Lodge 49. We discuss the allure of ancient fraternal orders, the importance of embracing everyday "magic," and getting curious about the places and the people we all too often drive past. He talks about how the show speaks to the isolation of modern social media culture and our longing for fellowship. Wyatt reminisces about previous career as a professional hockey player and the injury that sidelined him from hockey, but opened the door to a career in film and television. He recalls getting his first big break just when he was ready to give up on acting, following in the steps of his famous parents Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, and what they taught him about keeping celebrity in perspective.

Season 2 of Lodge 49 premieres on Monday, August 12 at 10/9C on AMC. Visit www.amc.com for more information.. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America’s The Academy for Consumer and Small Business.

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Governor Terry McAuliffe on the Lessons of Charlottesville

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Terry McAuliffe was Governor of Virginia at the time of the infamous Unite the Right rally that left three dead and many injured in Charlottesville, VA. He offers a behind-the-scenes account of this infamous chapter in our history and shows how we can prevent other Charlottesvilles from happening in the future. He shares his biggest worries in the weeks leading up to the infamous Unite the Right rally, why local authorities didn’t take his concerns nearly seriously enough, and why he believes that the ACLU shares some of the blame for failing to prevent the violence. He opens up about the tragic loss his own family suffered on that fateful day and voices his anger at the out-of-state agitators who gave Virginia a bad name. He discusses his phone call with President Trump on the day of the rally and his outrage when the President later made a wildly offensive public statement on the issue. Terry McAuliffe also talks about running for Governor and recalls his efforts to bring Virginia into the 21st Century. Then the former chairman of DNC weighs in on the Democratic debates and what he thinks Democrats are looking for in 2020.

Order Terry McAuliffe's book Beyond Charlottesville: Taking a Stand Against White Nationalism on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Follow him on Twitter at @TerryMcAuliffe. This episode is sponsored by Capella University, The Life Is Good Ping Podcast, and Magoosh online test prep.

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Goggins, Gaffigan, and Snakes!

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Walton Goggins and Jim Gaffigan talk about getting over their fear of snakes to portray Pentecostal snake handlers in their new film Them That Follow. They discuss the beliefs behind the religion, why members of these Pentecostal sect live in fear of the law, and why they took particular care not to reinforce negative stereotypes about the people of rural Appalachia. We talk about what attracts Walton to religious roles from The Apostle to Them That Follow, and how he manages to move so effortlessly between drama and comedy. Then Jim Gaffigan discusses his own transition from comedy to drama, how his acting and standup inform each other, and what it’s been like hit the film festival circuit. He goes into how his experience as a devout Catholic informed his portrayal in the film, his upcoming standup special for Amazon, and how his wife Jeannie’s recovery from a brain tumor has inspired him to get more personal in his act.

Them That Follow opens in theaters this Friday, August 2. Also look for Walton Goggins in HBO’s new limited series The Righteous Gemstones August 18 and Jim’s new comedy special Quality Time on Amazon Prime Video beginning August 16. This episode is sponsored by Anchor. Anchor is a Spotify-owned company that makes it easy for anyone to make a podcast, for free. Get started at www.anchor.fm/kickassnews. We're also sponsored by BetterHelp Online Counseling and Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.

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Diallo Riddle and Bashir Salahuddin Bring Back Musical Variety

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Diallo Riddle and and Bashir Salahuddin channeled their nostalgia musical variety shows like SoulTrain and Solid Gold into a hilarious new parody series Sherman's Showcase on IFC. They reveal how they lured artists like John Legend to the show and why all musicians are secretly aspiring comedians. They recall drinking with Lorne Michaels, writing sketches for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and how Sherman's Showcase gave them an opportunity to do all the sketches that were too risky for network television. They reminisce meeting at Harvard, starting their own sketch group just to get better parts, and being on the ground floor of the Youtube comedy boom. Plus Frederick Douglass sells hair products!

Watch Sherman's Showcase starting Wednesday, July 31st at 10PM ET on IFC, and also be sure to catch Bashir and Diallo's other new show South Side on Comedy Central. Visit www.ifc.com for more fun stuff about Sherman's Showcase, and follow Diallo Riddle on Twitter at @diallo.

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Richard Clarke & Robert Knake on Cyber War

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Richard A. Clarke and Robert K. Knake have served as the top cyber security experts to three Presidents, and they discuss their new book The Fifth Domain: Defending Our Country, Our Companies, and Ourselves in the Age of Cyber Threats. They discuss Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and say that Russia will almost certainly try it again in 2020. They warn against the folly of continuing to allow local state bureaucrats to ensure the integrity of America’s electronic voting machines and suggest that Russia’s 2015 shutdown of Ukraine’s power grid might have been a dry run for a similar attack on the grid here in the US. Clarke predicts that the next war that America enters will likely be triggered by a cyber attack. They discuss the offensive and defensive potential of new technology like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and 5G. They advocate for private companies to take greater ownership of their own data security instead expecting the government to protect them from attacks. Plus they offer a few steps that every listener should take to protect themselves from cyber crime. Order The Fifth Domain: Defending Our Country, Our Companies, and Ourselves in the Age of Cyber Threats on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America’s The Academy for Consumer and Small Business and Capella University's Doctoral Degree Program.

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Daniel Silva's Spy Fiction Mirrors Geopolitics

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0000

#1 Bestselling spy novelist Daniel Silva's books closely mirror world events, and he reveals how the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi led him to toss out 250 pages of his latest novel and start over. The New Girl is the 19th book in his wildly successful Gabriel Allon series, and he says he never imagined that his most popular character would last more than one book. Daniel discusses the similarities and differences between his fictional Saudi Prince and the brutal Mohammed bin Salman and why he believes that Russia may have had something to do with President Trump’s decision to give bin Salman a pass on the Khashoggi murder. Daniel recalls his start as a journalist working at CNN in the early days of 24-hour news, being there the night when the network brought Operation Desert Storm into America’s living rooms, and meeting his wife and fellow journalist Jamie Gangel during the Iran-Iraq War. Plus Daniel talks about his unique writing process, his fascination with art restoration, and more.

Order Daniel Silva's latest thrilling novel The New Girl on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Visit his website at www.danielsilvabooks.com and follow him on Twitter at @DanielSilvaBook. This episode is sponsored by TruGreen Mosquito Defense.

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MSNBC's Joy Reid Talks Trump and 2020

Thu, 18 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Joy-Ann Reid is the host of MSNBC's A.M. Joy and she discusses her new book The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Unraveling of the American Story. She says only a New Yorker who lived in the city during the turbulent 70s and 80s can truly understand the rise of Donald Trump. She likens that era to the lawlessness of Gotham City, and says that if NYC is Gotham than Trump is the Joker sowing chaos at every opportunity. She tells the story of her parents' immigration from Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and suggests that America could learn something about healing racial divides from post-Apartheid South Africa. Looking ahead to 2020, Joy believes that unregistered voters are a potential goldmine for Democrats. She explains that the hungriest constituencies win elections and women will be very hungry this time. Plus she weighs in the first Democratic debate, shares her daughter's nickname for Beto O’Rourke, and predicts that 2020 will be the craziest election yet!

Order Joy's book The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Unraveling of the American Story on Amazon, Audible or whever books are sold. Watch her show A.M. Joy on Saturdays and Sundays at 10am Eastern on MSNBC and follow her on twitter at @JoyAnnReid. This episode is sponsored by Anchor. Anchor is a Spotify-owned company that makes it easy for anyone to make a podcast, for free. Get started at www.anchor.fm/kickassnews.

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Guy Kawasaki on Marketing, Macintosh, and More

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Silicon Valley icon Guy Kawasaki recalls his childhood in Hawaii, his start in the jewelry business, and how his skills at jewelry sales came in surprisingly handy when he became chief evangelist for Macintosh. He talks about personally witnessing the genius and dark side of Apple founder Steve Jobs, he shares some rules that he calls "the Gospel According to Steve," and opens up about the argument that led him to quit Apple in the 90s. He talks about honor and honesty in the tech industry, his litmus test for doing business with someone, and why many of his best deals are done on a handshake. He shares plenty of of sage marketing advice including what he calls "Guy’s Golden Rule" and gives me a crash course in how to be a social media influencer without letting it dominate your life. Plus Guy discusses the costly mistake Hillary Clinton made with her Silicon Valley supporters, a cost/benefit analysis of standing up to Donald Trump, and the two asian celebrities for whom Guy always gets mistaken!

Order Guy Kawasaki's book WISE GUY: LESSONS FROM A LIFE on Amazon, Audible, and wherever books are sold. Keep up with him at www.guykawasaki.com, like him on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter at @GuyKawasaki. Special thanks to Live Talks LA for hosting our interview. Visit www.livetalksla.org to learn more about their terrific line-up of speakers coming up including Malcolm Gladwell, George Will, and many more. Today's episode was sponsored by Kronos and Ben & Jerry's.

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CNN's Jim Acosta on "Fake News" and Freedom of the Press

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0000

In the President's campaign against what he calls “Fake News,” CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta has become public enemy number one, but Acosta warns that Trump's attacks on the press could have dangerous consequences for America. Jim reveals some of the tricks that the White House uses to skew media coverage and avoid tough questions, and he says that the President’s war on the truth is changing journalism itself as reporters have to do double-duty as "real-time fact-checkers." He shares some of the bone-chilling threats he receives from Trump supporters at rallies and on social media, and reports that hateful anti-media rhetoric only got worse in the 2018 midterms. He suggest that Trump actually enjoys sparring with him in the press room and that the President only demonizes the press as part of an "act" to placate his base. He even says he's figured out Trump's "tells" for when he's lying or losing!

Order Jim Acosta's book The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous time to Tell Truth in America on Amazon, Audible and wherever books are sold. Follow him on Twitter at @Acosta and see him reporting from the White House on CNN. Today's episode was sponsored by the TruGreen Mosquito Defense and BetterHelp.

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Adam Savage Builds, Blows Up, and Has a Blast

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Adam Savage (Mythbusters, MythBusters Junior) talks about building a working prototype of Marvel’s Iron Man suit for his new series Savage Builds and what it was like to fly around with tiny jet engines strapped to his forearms. He discusses how Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson helped him take to the skies in a real World War I dogfight, why Adam's attempt recreate one of World War II’s most bizarre contraptions was less than successful, and how it served as a lesson in the importance of embracing your failures. Adam talks about his love of juggling and magic, his friendship with magician and skeptic the Amazing Randy, his own relationship with the skeptic community, and how he discovered that Darwinism doesn’t make for good television. Plus Adam talks about obsession with the dodo bird and why wire coat hangers are a maker's best friend.

Adam's new series Savage Builds airs Fridays at 10 Eastern on the Science Channel. Visit Adam at www.adamsavage.com for more fun stuff and follow him on twitter at @donttrythis. Today's episode was sponsored by the Life Is Good Ping Podcast.

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The Daily Show's Trevor Noah

Thu, 04 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is a rerun of a previous podcast that aired December 3, 2018 with guest Trevor Noah. Trevor talks about his standup special TREVOR NOAH: SON OF PATRICIA and why he dedicated it to his mom whom he calls “the first comedian that he ever saw” and “most gangster human being you’ll ever meet in your life.” He discusses growing up in South Africa during Apartheid, the power of humor to fight oppression, and why he believes that hateful words aren’t nearly as important as addressing with the hate itself. He shares how the 2016 election affected his own vision for THE DAILY SHOW, why the current President reminds him of certain African dictators, and how he deciphers what’s news and what’s nonsense in the age of Trump. Plus Trevor talks about interviewing President Barak Obama, whether he would be down to do the same with Donald Trump, and the question that he would most like ask the 45th President.

Watch THE DAILY SHOW WITH TREVOR NOAH every weeknight at 11PM ET on Comedy Central. Visit www.trevornoah.com for more on Trevor including upcoming tour dates, and follow him on twitter at @TrevorNoah. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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George Will on the Conservative Sensibility

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Pulitzer Prize-winning Conservative columnist George Will answers the fundamental question “what is it that conservatives mean to conserve" and suggests that modern conservatives are losing sight of that purpose. He extolls James Madison’s belief in the importance of natural rights and government’s role in protecting them, and he makes that case against his fellow Princetonian Woodrow Wilson who did the most to unravel the Founders’ vision. George discusses his decision to change his political affiliation from Republican to Independent in 2016, why he still can’t make the leap to the Libertarian Party, and why he believes it would be better to vote for Joe Biden over Donald Trump in 2020.

Order George Will's book The Conservative Sensibility on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Follow him on Twitter at @GeorgeWill and look for his regular column in the Washington Post. Today's podcast was sponsored by BetterHelp and Ben & Jerry's.

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Ash Carter on Leadership in the Pentagon

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 04:06:14 -0000

Former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter takes me behind the scenes to reveal the inner workings of the Pentagon, its vital mission, and what it takes to lead it. He describes just how massive the D.O.D. is, how he managed a $700 billion dollar budget, and how he recruited top tech talent to the Pentagon. Ash Carter reveals why his background as a physicist came in handy in the Pentagon and how it led him to oppose President Ronald Reagan’s "Star Wars" program in the 80s. He discusses how he came up with his successful strategy to defeat ISIS, but cautions President Trump against pulling out of Iraq and Syria entirely. He talks about his effort to reach out to non-traditional military recruits and his history-making decision to open all combat roles to women.

Order Ash Carter's book Inside the Five-Sided Box: Lessons from a Lifetime of Leadership in the Pentagon on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Today's podcast was sponsored by TruGreen mosquito defense.

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Vince Houghton on America's Craziest Intelligence Schemes

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Vince Houghton, director of the International Spy Museum, returns to take me on a wild tour of missions and schemes that almost happened, but were ultimately deemed too dangerous, expensive, ahead of their time, or insane. These include weaponing animals such as eavesdropping cats, spooky glow in the dark foxes, and one plan to strap incendiary bombs to bats! He reveals some of the CIA’s wackier attempts to take out Castro, the nazi scientist who tried to build a sun gun, and the Florida meteorologist who thought it would be a good idea to use a nuclear weapons to blow up hurricanes. But just when you think it couldn’t get any crazier, Vince discusses the project that inspired the title of his new book - the U.S. military plan to nuke the moon!

Order Vince Houghton's book Nuking the Moon: And Other Intelligence Schemes and Military Plots Left on the Drawing Board on Amazon, Audible, and in bookstores. Today's podcast was sponsored by The Skimm and AncestryDNA.

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Scott Pelley on Truth, Values, and Journalism

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -0000

As a 60 Minutes correspondent and former anchor of the CBS Evening News, Scott Pelley has been a witness to events that have changed our world and he talks about some individuals who illustrate the best of America. He recalls the heart-break and exhaustion of reporting on the 9/11 attacks and why he feels it was the finest hour for CBS News. He shares the three rules of journalism that he learned from CBS legend Walter Cronkite, and why he believes that 24-hour cable news create even more demand for a show like 60 Minutes. He discusses his time as a combat journalist in Iraq and Afghanistan, the question that landed him on Hillary Clinton’s blacklist, and why he says that President Donald Trump just can’t stop himself from lying. Plus he elaborates on his accusations that the CBS Evening News was a hostile work environment, explains the secret to 60 Minutes’ longevity, and shares a few favorite memories of 60 Minutes’ lovable curmudgeon Andy Rooney.

Order Scott Pelley's book Truth Worth Telling: A Reporter's Search for Meaning in the Stories of Our Times on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Today's podcast was sponsored by BetterHelp.com and Kronos.

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Senator Tom Cotton on the Old Guard of Arlington

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Senator Tom Cotton recalls the storied history of the Old Guard of Arlington National Cemetery and the rigorous training he went through to become a member of this elite regiment. He describes what it’s like to perform a military funeral in America’s most hallowed cemetery and how the soldiers of the Old Guard manage to avoid getting choked up. Senator Cotton shares some of the other ceremonies that the Old Guard performs and how the Old Guard played a pivotal role at the Pentagon in the hours and days following 9/11. Plus we talk about the special soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier day and night in all kinds of weather, how they deal with unruly children and noisy tourists, and why modern science means there never be another Unknown Soldier.

Order Senator Tom Cotton's book Sacred Duty: A Soldier's Tour at Arlington National Cemetery on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Today's podcast was sponsored by BetterHelp.com, Kronos, and Soundtrap for Storytellers.

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Admiral William McRaven's Life in Special Operations

Thu, 13 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Admiral William McRaven (Make Your Bed) reveals how a high school track coach inspired him apply for the Navy SEAL program and why he still compares any struggle he faces to the grueling endurance test of the Navy SEALs “Hell Week.” He recalls the night he got a gut feeling he was going to catch Saddam and was right, how Saddam never made his bed while he was in McRaven’s custody, and what McRaven said when he finally decided to meet with Saddam face to face. He talks about the strange experience of personally seeing monsters like Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden cut down to size, how he managed to keep the preparation of the Bin Laden raid a secret, and how 1000’s of special operations prepared him for that mission of a lifetime. Plus he weighs in on the Navy SEAL who stands accused of war crimes, responds to calls for him to run for President, and expresses his sincerest regret that he’s the reason you have to take off your shoes at the airport!

Order Admiral William McRaven's book Sea Stories: My Life in Special Operations on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Today's podcast was sponsored by The Life Is Good Ping Podcast, Udacity, and Ancestry.com.

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Michael Wolff on Trump Under Siege

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Best-selling author Michael Wolff discusses his new book Siege: Trump Under Fire and how he got so many White House sources to speak to him again after his explosive tell-all Fire and Fury. He tells how Steve Bannon remains the ultimate Trump insider even though he's on the outs with the President and why Trump's misfortune has always been Bannon's opportunity. We talk about how Robert Mueller carefully gamed out every step of the Russia probe and whether Mueller may have actually drafted an indictment of Donald Trump. He shares how Jared Kushner’s suspicious dealings with shady foreign investors jeopardized his White House security clearance and how he sought the counsel of Henry Kissinger in his effort to install himself as Secretary of State. He reveals why Nikki Haley really resigned as UN Ambassador and how Trump’s inner circle lives in constant fear of the day when the Me Too Movement may finally catch up to Trump. He sheds some light on Donald and Melania’s marriage of convenience, reveals how Senator Mitch McConnell got the upper hand on the President, and shares how Trump started a family feud at Fox.

Order Michael Wolff's latest book Siege: Trump Under Fire on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold.

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Ron Howard on Luciano Pavarotti's Operatic Life

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Oscar-winning filmmaker Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13) discusses his new documentary Pavarotti. He talks about the art of filmmaking and storytelling, how he approaches a documentary versus a narrative film about a real person, and how he got the idea to present Pavarotti’s story as an opera. We get into Pavarotti the romantic, how Ron got the various women of Pavarotti’s life to participate in the film, and why Pavarotti often compared his famous voice to a tempestuous lover. He tells the story of how the Three Tenors were formed, and how Pavarotti took opera into sports stadiums and the mainstream by collaborating with everyone from Steve Wonder to Sting. Plus we talk about Pavarotti’s enormous appetite, his even bigger heart for charity, and Ron’s own chance encounter with this opera legend.

Ron Howard's film Pavarotti opens in theaters Friday, June 7. Visit www.pavarottifilm.com for information and show times. Today's podcast was sponsored by The Life is Good Ping Podcast and Udacity.

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David Epstein on Dabbling vs. 10,000 Hours

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 08:00:00 -0000

David Epstein (The Sports Gene) reveals the flaw in the "10,000 hours" theory of deliberate performance, the fallacy of giving children a head-start, and how it could actually hinder them in the long-run. He shares why athletes should be more like Roger Federer than Tiger Woods and how "serial innovators" tend to have a broad range of knowledge and experience. David says the internet and open source information is a boon to generalists, but artificial intelligence may put a lot of specialists out of business. He encourages the trend of midlife career changes and dabbling and suggests it's better to act THEN decide. Plus how Venetian orphans inspired the world’s greatest composers, why Nobel laureates always have a hobby, and why experts make terrible forecasters.

Order David Epstein's book Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Keep up with david at www.davidepstein.com and follow him on twitter at @DavidEpstein. Today's podcast was sponsored by BetterHelp.com, SiriusXM Radio , and Ancestry.com.

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Neil Gaiman Brings Good Omens to the Screen

Thu, 30 May 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Neil Gaiman talks about adapting his book Good Omens for television, the book’s long journey to the screen, and how he took the reins as show-runner in a promise to his late co-author Terry Pratchett. Neil recalls the origins of their book as a fable about nature vs nurture and opens up about the on screen cameo that was just too painful for him to film. He discusses his writing process, how he manages to avoid distractions, and why he chooses to write across many different mediums. Plus Neil shares the story of the time he and Michael Sheen accidentally dined on an endangered species and got a front row seat for a federal raid.

Neil Gaiman's six-part limited series Good Omens stars Michael Sheen and David Tennant and is available on Amazon Prime Video beginning Friday, May 31st. Keep up with Neil at www.neilgaiman.com and follow him on Twitter at @neilhimself. Today's podcast was sponsored by Udacity.

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Liam Cunningham Fights White Walkers, Ebola, and Snakes!

Mon, 27 May 2019 08:00:00 -0000

discusses his 7 epic seasons as Sir Davos Seaworth on and going from fighting "White Walkers" to fighting Ebola in National Geographic Channel's limited series . We also talk about his original audition for Game of Thrones, why he...

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Jared Cohen on America's Accidental Presidents

Thu, 23 May 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Jared Cohen talks about the eight men who succeeded to the presidency without being elected to it and how they changed our history for better or worse. He reveals that presidential succession wasn’t clearly defined for most of America’s history and that most Vice-Presidents come to the Oval Office with great reluctance and a serious inferiority complex. We talk about the best and worst accidental presidents, the one who assumed the office with the heaviest burden and the least preparation, and the one who was actually accused of conspiring to murder his predecessor. Plus Jared suggests a better way to choose a running mate, he talks about his childhood fascination with the JFK conspiracy, and shares unusual hobby - collecting presidential hair.

Order Jared Cohen's new book Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America on Amazon and follow Jared on Twitter at @JaredCohen. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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David McCullough on the Pioneers Who Defined America

Mon, 20 May 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough discusses his latest book The Pioneers, how it fulfilled his lifelong dream to write a nonfiction version of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, and why he wants his book to serve as reminder of fundamental American values. He tells the story of the New England minister who played an instrumental role in the creation of the Ohio Settlement, how he fought to outlaw slavery in the territory, and how his son carried on his fight for abolition a few years later. He talks about the wealthy Irish couple who built a paradise on an island in the Ohio River and how they lost everything when they became embroiled in the Aaron Burr treason scandal. McCullough reveals what he’s learned in his 50 plus years of studying history, the importance of hindsight, and why historical figures feel like old friends.

Order The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. This podcast was sponsored by Ancestry.com. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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Bill Hader's Long Road to Directing

Thu, 16 May 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Bill Hader (SNL, Trainwreck, Barry) talks about his childhood love of film, his early days as a struggling production assistant in Hollywood, and how he's finally getting back to his cinematic roots with his dark comedy series Barry. He discusses directing the much talked about episode 5 this season, how he staged an epic 30 minute fight scene, and why he had to hire a construction crew to build him the perfect tree. Hader recalls his original audition for Saturday Night Live, his first meeting with Lorne Michaels, and a few of his favorite obscure impressions from SNL. He shares what he learned about story from his time in the writers room on South Park and how his love of cheesy true crime shows like Forensic Files and Snapped inform the grittier aspects of Barry.

Watch the season finale of Barry this Sunday May 19 on HBO. For more on Barry including out-takes and behind the scenes extras, Visit www.hbo.com/barry for more on Barry including outtakes and behind-the-scenes extras. Today's episode was sponsored by Kronos HR Solutions and BetterHelp.com. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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Jordan Klepper Goes on the Frontlines of Change

Mon, 13 May 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Jordan Klepper returns to the podcast to talk about getting out of the studio and getting out in the real world again for his new Comedy Central docu-series Klepper. He tells the story of a wrestling club in Texas that is helping veterans body slam their way through PTSD, what it says about how vets get treated by the VA and by their fellow Americans, and how Jordan faired when he donned a cape and got in the ring with them. Then Jordan recalls sleeping in the swamp for two nights and capsizing his boat in the Louisiana bayou as part of a direct action protest. He discusses how Georgia is making life difficult for children of undocumented workers and how they are looking to the civil rights movement of the 60’s for inspiration. Plus Jordan opens up about the incident that got him arrested and his memorable stay in the Fulton County Jail.

Jordan Klepper's new series Klepper airs Thursdays at 10:30PM ET on Comedy Central. Visit www.comedycentral.com for more information and follow Jordon on Twitter at @jordanklepper. Today's episode was sponsored by SiriusXM radio. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our short listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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Sir Kenneth Branagh Becomes the Bard

Fri, 10 May 2019 02:01:29 -0000

Oscar nominated actor and director Sir Kenneth Branagh is the greatest living interpreter of the works of William Shakespeare, and today he talks about his life long love of Shakespeare and stepping into the shoes of his hero for his new film All Is True. Branagh discusses why he chose to focus on the three years following Shakespeare’s retirement and why he wasn’t afraid to deviate from the accepted biography and embrace the mystery around the man. He talks about teaming up with writer Ben Elton, forgoing digital graphics in favor traditional matte painting techniques, and the makeup that transformed Kenneth Branagh into the bard himself. Plus he weighs in on the rumors that the mysterious "dark lady" in Shakespeare’s love sonnets might not have been a lady at all, the sex scandals that embroiled Shakespeare's family in his final years, and speculation that William Shakespeare wasn't the real author of his famous plays.

Kenneth Branagh's film All Is True opens in New York and LA on Friday, May 10 followed by a wide release. Check your local listings for showtimes. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our short listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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Jared Diamond on Nations in Crisis

Mon, 06 May 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Pulitzer Prize-winning author, scientist, and renowned polymath Jared Diamond reveals that many of the factors in how individuals cope with personal crises can also predict how countries survive national crises. He profiles six nations in transition in his new book Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis, and shares his personal experiences and observations about those countries including why one should never utter the word "Finlandization" in Finland, how Chileans in the 1960’s never thought that their democracy would fall to a bloody dictator, and he says this doesn’t bode well for the U.S. He discusses why some countries like Germany choose to acknowledge their violent past while others like Indonesia choose to bury it. Then he warns of two nations currently facing crises Japan, who suffers from crippling national debt and an aging/shrinking population, and the United States, where he says the decline of political compromise and voting rights is eroding our democracy.

Order Jared Diamond's terrific book Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold beginning Tuesday May 7. Today's episode was sponsored by So, Bob podcast, SiriusXM radio, and Zebit. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our short listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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For Newt Gingrich, Collusion Makes Great Fiction

Thu, 02 May 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich talks about his new political thriller Collusion: A Novel and how writing fiction has given him a chance to let his imagination run wild about the darker side of Washington. He discusses why it’s almost impossible to make up a fictional super-villain like Vladimir Putin, his fascination Putin’s deadly penchant for high profile poisonings, and why he believes that Putin doesn’t mind taking the blame for those murders. Plus he weighs in on President Trump’s Russia policy, the Mueller Report, what issues will drive the next election, and which Democrat could conceivably beat Donald Trump in 2020.

Order his book Collusion: A Novel on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Keep up with Newt at www.gingrich360.com, subscribe to his podcast Newt's World, and follow him on twitter at @newtgingrich. Today's episode was sponsored by BetterHelp.com. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our short listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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Rep. Seth Moulton Says the Presidency Is about Service not Ego

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Congressman Seth Moulton talks about why he is running for President, what he sees as his path to the Democratic nomination, and how he plans to defeat President Donald Trump by running on Trump’s weakest issues. He discusses why he chose do 4 tours of duty as a Marine in Iraq even though he personally opposed the war, what it was like working as a special liaison to tribal leaders in Southern Iraq, and what the experience taught him about compromise and bipartisanship. He reveals why he turned down the platinum health insurance afforded to members of Congress in favor of getting his healthcare at the Veterans Administration, what learned about what works and what doesn’t work at the V.A., and why he opposes a single payer healthcare program. Plus we talk impeachment, abolishing the electoral college, and how he became the star of a popular Iraqi TV show “Moulton and Mohammed.”

Visit www.sethmoulton.com for more information on Congressman Seth Moulton or to donate/volunteer for his Presidential campaign, and follow him on Twitter at @sethmoulton. Today's podcast was sponsored by SiriusXM radio, and the new Hulu original series RAMY. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our short listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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Janet Napolitano on Homeland Security Since 9/11

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 18:52:25 -0000

Janet Napolitano served the 4th Secretary of Homeland Security less than a decade after 9/11, and on today's podcast, she reckons with the critics who call it a Frankenstein's Monster of government run amok and takes a hard look at the challenges we'll be facing as it evolves to fight terrorism 2.0. She likens the job to finding a needle in a haystack and describes how she used methods like "pushing the borders" and TSA-pre-check to shrink that haystack. She says it takes a "dark imagination" to be Secretary of Homeland Security, but even in her darkest imagination, she never envisioned a hostile foreign government like Russia would interfere in a US Presidential election. She takes to task politicians who engage in "security theatre," and this former border state governor has a few choice words about President Trump's zero tolerance policy toward illegal immigration. Plus Janet Napolitano weighs in on the college admissions scandal and outlines what she's doing to address the issue as President of the University of California Board of Regents.

Order Janet Napolitano's new book How Safe Are We?: Homeland Security Since 9/11 on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Today's podcast was sponsored by Kronos, SiriusXM radio, and the new Hulu original series RAMY. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our short listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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Google's Eric Schmidt on Silicon Valley's Trillion Dollar Coach

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 22:16:48 -0000

Former Google chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt discusses how former college football coach Bill Campbell mentored him and many of Silicon Valley's greatest visionaries from Jeff Bezos and Larry Page to Marc Andreessen and Steve Jobs. Eric recalls how he initially reacted when venture capitalist John Doerr suggested that he work with a coach, how Coach Campbell helped shape the relationship between Eric and Google's founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, and how the coach talked Eric out of resigning as Google’s CEO in 2004. He shares how Bill Campbell coached teams more than individuals, and talks about the importance of trust and even love to a company's success. Eric opens up about his decision to step down as Executive Chairman of Google's parent company Alphabet in 2017 and his next big bet on the positive potential of artificial intelligence. Plus Eric Schmidt reveals why starting a meeting with some little polite chit-chat isn't just a waste of time and the power of hugs in the workplace.

Order Eric's book Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Today's podcast was sponsored by the new Hulu original series RAMY. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our short listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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Valerie Jarrett Is the Ultimate Obama Insider

Thu, 18 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -0000

As the longest serving senior official in Obama White House, Valerie Jarrett was known as one who "got" President Obama and helped him engage his public life, but she was also an early mentor, trusted advisor, and family confidante to the Obamas for decades. She remembers her first impression of Michelle and Barack Obama in 1991, shares her unique perspective on their marriage, and tells the story of the time when Michelle Obama recruited her to help convince a young Barack Obama to give up politics and get “a real job.” She talks about being the person who kept President Obama connected to the world outside of Washington as director of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and how her own experience as a single working mom influenced her to advocate for women and families. She describes the surreal/heartbreaking experience of watching the 2016 election returns with the Obamas in the White House residence, how she's been handling the Trump Presidency, and a few of her “pinch me moments” from her 8 years in the Obama Administration.

Order her book Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Today's podcast was sponsored by the new Hulu original series RAMY. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our short listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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In Therapy w/ Lori Gottlieb

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Bestselling psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb talks about the event that led her to seek help for herself, what it was like to switch roles and be the patient on the couch, and how her own quirky therapist got to the underlying issues of in life. She discusses some of her favorite patients including an insufferable Hollywood producer, a newlywed diagnosed with terminal cancer, and the patient who she says was "like looking in a mirror." Lori offers some ideas for how to address the mental health crisis in America and she weighs in on the ongoing debate among those in her profession over the Goldwater Rule. Plus Lori reveals whether she’s ever dozed off on a patient, why her own therapist once kicked her in session, and what her colleagues think about her pulling back the curtain on psychotherapy.

Order her book Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Visit her website at LoriGottlieb.com and follow her on twitter at @LoriGottlieb1. Today's podcast was sponsored by BetterHelp. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our short listeners survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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George Papadopoulos on Mueller Investigation Intrigue

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -0000

As America waits for the full Mueller Report, I talk with the first Trump official to plead guilty in the Mueller Investigation. George Papadopoulos was the young foreign policy advisor to the Trump campaign who reportedly told an Australian diplomat that Russia had thousands of hacked emails that could damage Hillary Clinton and tip the 2016 election to Donald Trump. He talks about the Maltese professor who first told him about the Clinton emails and why the mysterious professor has now vanished. I ask him whether he ever attempted to take the professor up on his offer, whether he reported news of the emails back to the Trump campaign, and why he didn’t take this information to U.S. authorities at the time. Papadopoulos explains why he refused to wear a wire for the FBI, why he says he didn’t intend to lie to the Mueller Investigation, and why he now believes that he was a "patsy" in what may have otherwise been a legitimate investigation into Donald Trump’s connections to Russia. Plus he discusses why he’s considering withdrawing his guilty plea and whether he might get a pardon from President Trump himself.

Order his book Deep State Target: How I Got Caught in the Crosshairs of the Plot to Bring Down President Trump on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Today's podcast was sponsored by The Rochester Institute of Technology. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our short listeners survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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Chelsea Handler's Crush on Robert Mueller

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Comedian Chelsea Handler recalls her anger in the wake of the 2016 election and how Donald Trump became the unlikely catalyst for Chelsea to work through some unresolved personal issues with the help of a clever psychiatrist named Dan. She discusses her decision to walk away from her Netflix talk show in order to dedicate herself to political activism and campaigning for minority and female candidates in 2018. Chelsea opens up about how the sudden death of her favorite brother impacted every relationship she has had since then, she says she's finally ready to find a serious partner now, and she lists some of her dealbreakers for a potential mate. Chelsea talks about the moment she realized she was incapable of operating her own television or making herself a cup of coffee, how she cured herself of “domestic amnesia," and she describes the humbling experience of making a documentary about white privilege. Plus we get into her deep attraction to Robert Mueller, her obsession with rescuing Chow-Chows, how to fake a Jewish funeral, and more.

Order Chelsea Hander's new book Life Will Be the Death of Me: . . . and you too! on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Keep up with Chelsea at www.chelseahandler.com and follow her on Twitter at @ChelseaHandler. Today's podcast was sponsored by Kronos and Zebit. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our short listeners survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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Wyatt Cenac Fixes America One Problem at a Time

Thu, 04 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Comedian Wyatt Cenac discusses how he wanted to distinguish his HBO docuseries Wyatt Cenac's Problem Areas from his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show including forgoing the traditional studio audience and creating a fun retro 70s look for the show. He talks about checking his own biases to explore different perspectives on the contentious issue of policing urban communities, what he wants to learn about America’s education system in Season 2 of Problem Areas, and why the topic of school choice is so controversial. Plus we get into the college admissions scandal, goat yoga, and more.

Season 2 of Wyatt Cenac's Problem Areas debuts Friday, April 5 at 11 p.m. ET on HBO. Visit www.wyattcenac.com for more info on Wyatt including his upcoming standup dates and follow him on twitter at @WyattCenac. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our short listeners survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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Preet Bharara Says Justice Isn't Just for Lawyers

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Preet Bharara talks about his eight years as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, what movies and TV get wrong about criminal investigations, and why the job is more than just "connecting the dots" or "following the money." He says if you want to get a confession out of a bad guy, food works better than playing hardball, he discusses the devil's bargain of cutting deals with cooperating witnesses, and why sometimes the cases you don’t prosecute are just as important as the ones you do. Plus Preet weigh in on the Mueller Report, whether U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr’s interpretation of the report can be trusted, why Mueller didn’t make any recommendations, and whether Mueller intended to "punt" those decisions to Congress rather than Barr.

Order Preet Bharara's book Doing Justice: A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Subscribe to his podcast Stay Tuned with Preet on Apple Podcasts and follow him on Twitter at @PreetBharara. Today's podcast was sponsored by BetterHelp. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and take our short listeners survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick.

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Stacey Abrams Talks Politics, Star Trek, and 2020

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 08:00:00 -0000

has become a political superstar since running for governor of Georgia in 2018 and delivering the Democratic response to President Trump's State of the Union this February. We talk about her private meeting with Joe Biden, the...

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Jeff Bridges Gets Zen About Art, Acting, and the Environment (rerun)

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 18:34:58 -0000

discusses his 6 decades in Hollywood and what he learned about acting from dad Lloyd Bridges. He recalls the "Little Rascals" version of Tucker that he and Francis Ford Coppola made prior to filming, laughing it up with...

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Drs. Warren Farrell and John Gray Warn That Boys Are In Crisis

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Bestselling authors Dr. Warren Farrell (Why Men Are The Way They Are) and Dr. John Gray (Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus) warn that boys around the world are in crisis and say it's largely the result of a crisis of fathers who suffer from a "purpose void" as their traditional role is being diminished. They reveal how moms and dads parent differently and how fathers use things like rough-housing with the kids to establish boundaries. They discuss how the lack of boundaries can lead to ADD and ADHD in young men and caution parents to focus on the root cause of ADD before they resort to drugs like Aderall. They talk about the difficulty they’ve had getting lawmakers to take the boy crisis seriously and offer some recommendations for how the government and our schools can help address this growing problem.

Order John and Warren's new book The Boy Crisis: Why Our Boys Are Struggling and What We Can Do About It on Amazon and learn more at www.boycrisis.org. Keep up with Warren at www.warrenfarrell.com or on twitter at @drwarrenfarrell, and follow John at www.MarsVenus.com or on twitter at @RealJohnGray. Today's podcast was sponsored by Brother INKvestment tank printers.

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Alyssa Mastromonaco on Surviving Presidential Travel, IBS, and "Beaver Fever"

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Alyssa Mastromonaco spent 6 years in the Obama White House as assistant to the president, director of scheduling and advance, and deputy chief of staff for operations. She says working in the West Wing is a lot like VEEP and recalls some of the lighter moments including getting down on the dance-floor with Michelle Obama, impersonating a hedge hog for President Obama, and the time the leader of the free world tried to play matchmaker. She opens up about her at times comical struggles with irritable bowel syndrome including a few close calls at the most inconvenient moments, and the time that she contracted something called "beaver fever" (yes, it’s a real thing) during a state dinner in Tanzania. She reveals all the care and protocol that went into every foreign trip she planned for President Obama, and why it was more than a little disheartening to watch President Trump bungle his way through a hastily thrown together North Korea summit. She also warns that Trump’s use of a personal iPhone is a major security risk, she predicts what Democrats will be looking for in 2020, and she advises Dems to banish the term socialism from their vocabulary.

Order Alyssa Mastromonaco's book So Here's the Thing: Notes on Growing Up, Getting Older, and Trusting Your Gut on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Follow her on twitter at @AlyssaMastro44. Today's podcast was sponsored by Kronos and BetterHelp. Please take our annual podcast listener survey and register to win a $100 Amazon gift card at www.podsurvey.com/kick. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. Follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod. Visit our website at www.kickassnews.com.

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Bryan Callen Believes We're All Complicated Apes

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Actor/comedian Bryan Callen (THE GOLDBERGS, SCHOOLED, HANGOVER I & II) shares how his childhood growing up in countries all over the world inspired him to question labels and defy categorization, and he discusses his particular issue with the catch all term "Asians" to describe 48 different nationalities. We talk about the polarizing effect of political parties, why he believes that liberals and conservatives share the same fundamental values, and why everyone should demand to be treated like a verb instead of a noun. Bryan gets into the problem of political correctness and says that standup comedy is probably the last bastion of free speech in America. We talk about how he became associated with mixed martial arts, what it’s like inside the surprisingly inclusive world of MMA, and how women in the UFC cured him of chauvinism. Plus Bryan thinks he’d be a terrible border patrol agent, his proposal to make the world a better place thought "idea sex," and why at the end of the day we're all just complicated apes.

Don't miss Bryan's new comedy special BRYAN CALLEN: COMPLICATED APES now available on Comcast, DirecTV, Spectrum, AT&T, Dish, Cox, iTunes, Google Play, PlayStation, Xbox, and many more. Watch Bryan on his ABC shows THE GOLDBERGS and SCHOOLED, subscribe to his podcasts THE FIGHTER AND THE KID and MIXED MENTAL ARTS on Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen, and follow him on twitter at @bryancallen. Today's podcast was sponsored by Brother INKvestment tank printers.

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Arthur Brooks Rejects the Politics of Outrage and Culture of Contempt

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 08:00:00 -0000

Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute, returns to the podcast to call on Americans to reject the culture of contempt and the outrage industrial complex. He talks about the event that woke him up to the ugliness of our political discourse two and a half years before the 2016 election. He pulls back the curtain on how political parties are pushing us farther apart and how talking heads in the media are profitting from stoking division and hate. Arthur reveals the connection between trolling on social media and personality disorders and his own strategy for handling angry emails and twitter trolls. He shares what we can learn about civility from the Dalai Lama and a leading marriage counselor. We discuss the power of stories to bridge divides and the necessity of the competition of ideas to a health democracy. Plus, Arthur shares what he thinks about President Trump’s two hour speech at last week’s CPAC conference, the time he got mistaken for a Mormon (and loved every minute of it), and why this free-market conservative says everyone needs a friend like Cornel West or Robert George.

Order Arthur's book Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Subscribe to The Arthur Brooks Show wherever you listen podcasts and follow him on twitter at @arthurbrooks. Today's podcast was sponsored by Brother INKvestment Tank Printers and season 2 of Breach podcast. Please take our annual podcast listener survey and register to win a $100 Amazon gift card at www.podsurvey.com/kick. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and visit our website at www.kickassnews.com.

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Into the Danger Zone w/ Captain Dan Pederson

Thu, 07 Mar 2019 22:47:30 -0000

On the 50th Anniversary of the Navy's legendary fighter pilot school known as Top Gun, the founder Captain Dan Pederson discusses how the pilot losses he witnessed in the Vietnam War led to the formation of Top Gun, how he and the other original "9 bros" got it up and running in just a matter of weeks with little or no funding, and what they looked for in new recruits. He recalls the days before Top Gun when aerial combat training was banned by the military and how he and his fellow pilots learned their skills at a secret fight club in the sky off the coast of San Diego. He talks about getting to train against real Russian MIG fighter jets at the most classified location in America, the mental and physical stamina required to perform the kind of aerial acrobatics taught at Top Gun, and the toll that it can take on a pilot’s personal life. Plus Dan shares what the famous movie Top Gun gets wrong, he reveals the absolute worst weather to fly in, and he offers a few choice words about the Pentagon’s current reliance on the costly F-35 fighter jet.

Order Captain Dan Pederson's book TOP GUN: AN AMERICAN STORY on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Please take our annual podcast listener survey and register to win a $100 Amazon gift card at www.podsurvey.com/kick. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and visit our website at www.kickassnews.com.

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Roger McNamee Says Facebook Undermines Democracy

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 03:23:14 -0000

Roger McNamee was a mentor to a young Mark Zuckerberg and an early investor in Facebook, but now he warns that the social media platform has become a threat to democracy, privacy, competition, and even public health. He talks about when he noticed the first signs that not all was well at Facebook and what happened when he brought his concerns to his old friend. He discusses the role that Facebook played in the 2016 election, how its algorithms are actually designed to polarize and spread disinformation, and how Russian trolls and companies like Cambridge Analytica were able to exploit those flaws. Roger shares how Facebook employs tricks from psychology and slot machines to keep us coming back for more, and how you’re paying for the service with your personal data.

Order Roger McNamee's book Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Today’s podcast sponsored by Brother INKestment printers, BetterHelp, and season 2 of Breach podcast. Please support the show by taking our annual listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick, and register to win a $100 Amazon gift card. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and visit our website at www.kickassnews.com.

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The Man Who Caught El Chapo

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 09:00:00 -0000

For 30 years, DEA special agent Jack Riley led the manhunt for the world’s most wanted drug-lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. He reveals how El Chapo cleverly wrangled the cocaine trade from the Columbian cartels, how he saw America’s growing opiod epidemic as an opportunity to branch out into meth and heroine, and how he managed to run a multi-billion dollar drug empire from a Mexican prison (until he escaped). Jack discusses being on the dangerous front-lines of the war on drugs as head of the DEA’s El Paso, TX office, how it led to $100,000 price on his head, and what he learned about policing the border, how drugs get into America, and where they go from there. He reveals how Guzman escaped capture so many times, and how the Mexican government had to postpone a raid on his compound because of actor Sean Penn. We talk about the recent El Chapo trial, the US opiod epidemic and what needs to be done to address it, criminal justice reform, Donald Trump’s wall, and Trump’s wild assertion that El Chapo put out a hit on him.

Order Jack Riley’s new book Drug Warrior: Inside the Hunt for El Chapo and the Rise of America's Opioid Crisis on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Today’s podcast sponsored by Brother Printers INKvestment printer. Please support the show by taking our annual listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick, and register to win a $100 Amazon gift card. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and visit our website at www.kickassnews.com.

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The French Intellectual Who Loves America

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 23:13:13 -0000

France’s leading public intellectual Bernard-Henri Lévy accuses President Trump of following the same path of retreat begun by Barack Obama and suggests it has created a void that is now being filled by five old-world empires that are making an unlikely resurgence. Bernard-Henri talks about the Iran Nuclear deal and the larger problem of the Middle East, he discusses his long association with the Kurds who he says represent a hopeful new path for Islam, and he recalls his own role in the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi. He also gets into Russia’s election meddling and what he calls the assault on truth, why he worries that Brexit could lead to end of EU, and the rise of nationalism in his own country represented by the yellow vest protests.

Order his book The Empire and the Five Kings: America's Abdication and the Fate of the World on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Please support the show by taking our annual listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/kick, and register to win a $100 Amazon gift card. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review, follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod, and visit our website at www.kickassnews.com.

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Parag Khanna Says the Future Is Asian

Thu, 21 Feb 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Parag Khanna says America has a China problem and the solution is Asia. He suggests that rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership and building stronger ties with other countries in the region are much more effective and less risky ways to gain leverage over China than a direct trade war. He reveals what President Trump gets wrong when he says that America holds all the cards with China, and suggests that Trump’s tariffs may actually hasten China’s push to become self-sufficient. He talks about the booming markets emerging in other parts of Asia and how leading American tech companies are getting in on the game by signing major manufacturing agreements in place like India, South Korea, and Vietnam. Parag also discusses the growing cultural influence represented by the hit movie Crazy Rich Asians and discusses a new trend of Asian-Americans crossing back over the Pacific to pursue opportunities as "American-Asians."

Order Parag Khanna's new book THE FUTURE IS ASIAN on Amazon or Audible, and follow him at ParagKhanna.com or on twitter at @ParagKhanna. Today's episode was sponsored by Kronos and BetterHelp. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and rate and review the podcast. Like Kickass News on Facebook and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod. For more interesting stuff, visit our website at www.kickassnews.com.

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The Dangerous World of Larry Charles

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Legendary comedy writer and director Larry Charles (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Borat) talks about traveling the world in search of humor in the most unusual, unexpected and deadliest places for his new Netflix series Larry Charles’ Dangerous World of Comedy. He talks about meeting former child soldiers who perform standup in a cemetery in Liberia, the "Jon Stewart" of Iraq who has a price on his head, and the imprisoned terrorist who wanted to show Larry the lighter side of ISIS. Larry also tells stories about working on the early seasons of Seinfeld, why Kramer was his favorite character to write for, and what he says Seinfeld has in common with Superman. He shares how Larry David used to fight with audiences in comedy clubs, why David threw a fit when NBC wanted to move Seinfeld to the most coveted time slot in television, and what it’s like to direct Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm. We discuss how Borat and Bruno exposed racist and authoritarian leanings in the US and abroad long before 2016, why Larry Charles had to play a character while he was directing those movies, and the crazy amount of commitment it required from that hilarious mad genius Sacha Baron Cohen. Plus, what it was like to grow up in Brooklyn’s Trump Village (yes, that Trump!), how Larry went from selling drugs to selling jokes outside the Comedy Store in Hollywood, and the one country that scared the living hell out of him while making Larry Charles’ Dangerous World of Comedy.

Watch all four episodes of Larry Charles’ Dangerous World of Comedy available on Netflix now. Follow Larry on Twitter at @LarryCharlesisms. Today's episode was sponsored by Brother INKvestment Tank Printers. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and rate and review the podcast. Like Kickass News on Facebook and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod. For more interesting stuff, visit our website at www.kickassnews.com.

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Governor Chris Christie Gets the Last Word

Thu, 14 Feb 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Former NJ Governor Chris Christie sets the record straight about his tenure as a corruption-busting prosecutor and a Republican running a Democratic state, as well as what really happened on the 2016 campaign trail and inside Trump Tower. He recalls how his friendship with Donald Trump began and the nasty details of the infamous Charles Kushner case that would later come back to haunt him. He talks about why he passed on running for President in 2012, Hurricane Sandy and that notorious Obama hug (which he says wasn’t really a hug), and how the Romney campaign used it as a scapegoat for their own candidate’s shortcomings. Christie reveals that he even had to convince his own son that he had nothing to do with the George Washington Bridge closure and in the end it boiled down to stupid people doing stupid things. I ask him if he thinks the Trump-Russia collusion may turn out to be a similar situation, he says he could tell General Mike Flynn was trouble from day one, he talks about his former colleagues Bob Mueller and James Comey, and he shares the advice he gave President Trump when the whole Russia investigation began. He reveals why he believed he was going to be tapped as Trump’s running mate, how Jared Kushner tossed out the entire Trump transition plan just to get even with him, and the day he finally got fed up and said "I’m done." Plus Chris Christie on how he became the first Youtube Governor, why he unfollowed every New Jersey reporter on Twitter, and why it took him 3 months to convince Donald Trump to cash his check.

Order Chris Christie's book Let Me Finish: Trump, the Kushners, Bannon, New Jersey, and the Power of In-Your-Face Politics on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Follow him on twitter at @ChrisChristie. Today's episode was sponsored by BetterHelp.com.

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Madeleine Albright Warns That Fascism Is Making a Comeback

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Madeleine Albright fled fascists during her childhood and faced them down as Secretary of State, and today she comes on the podcast to warn that fascism is once again on the rise. She shares how her own refugee experience during World War II and the Cold War shaped her worldview and recalls her meetings with with authoritarian strongmen like Kim Jong-il, Slobodan Milošević, and Vladimir Putin. She reveals that most fascists come into office through democratic elections or a constitutional transfer of powers, not a bloody coup, and in her experience, dictators can be surprisingly normal and polite despite their monstrous cruelty. She discusses the upcoming summit between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump, says Putin plays a poor hand well and Trump plays a good hand poorly, and calls out Donald Trump as "the least democratic President in American history."

Order Madeleine Albright's book Fascism: A Warning on Amazon and follow her on twitter at @madeleine. Today's episode was sponsored by BetterHelp.com.

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National Geographic Chair Jean Case on Being Fearless

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Former AOL exec and chairman of National Geographic Society Jean Case talks about her new book Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose. She says leaders need to start viewing risk as R&D and failure as a learning experience. In fact, Jean Case encourages people to talk about their own mistakes by sharing her own "failure resume" and hosting "fail tests." She discusses why CEO’s need to get out of their bubble and get uncomfortable, and how greater diversity actually affects an organization's bottom line. Plus she reveals the coolest thing about being the first female chairman of the National Geographic Society and talks about National Geographic’s history of fearless women going back over 125 years.

Order Jean's book Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose on Amazon and learn more about the Case Foundation at www.casefoundation.org. Today's episode was sponsored by Kronos Payroll Solutions, Blinkist, and Homesick Candles.

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Marc Freedman on Connecting the Generations

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Encore.org founder Marc Freedman says seniors are an untapped resource and calls on society to stop segregating the elderly from society and renew the bond between young and old. Marc talks about the mentors who influenced his life, what we can learn from the movie The Intern, and the evidence that shows that seniors who take an interest in a young person actually live longer, happier lives. He talks about the elderly neighbors who act as "surrogate grandparents" to his own children, calls out the interests who are trying to pit baby boomers and millennials against each other, and reveals why artificial intelligence may create greater demand for the kind of interactions that only seniors can offer. Plus we talk about the starry eyed dreamer who accidently created an "age apartheid," how Otto Von Bismark decided your retirement age, and why your kid’s next college roommate might be older than you are!

Be sure to visit Encore.org for more information and order Marc Freedman's book How to Live Forever: The Enduring Power of Connecting the Generations on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Today's podcast was sponsored by Homesick Candles. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, visit our website at www.kickassnews.com, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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White House Aide Cliff Sims Tells All

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Cliff Sims recalls his time as President Trump's Director of Messaging Strategy in a chaotic White House that he likens to "Game of Thrones with the cast of VEEP." He shares the real story behind the fiasco around Trump’s inauguration numbers, how the administration takes disorganization to a whole new level, and how many times the President’s senior staff learn of about major policy decisions on cable news. He recalls helping President Trump draft his notorious "enemies list," how he learned that Kelly Anne Conway was leaking to the press, and why he believes former WH Chief of Staff John Kelly had it in for him. He discusses how he reconciles his own conservative evangelical values with the President’s less than Christian behavior, how he came to grips with the hard learned lesson that everyone is disposable to Donald Trump, and why he still respects the President even after Trump disavowed Sims and his book in typical Trump fashion - via an angry tweet. Plus the Mooch is on loose, Sean Spicer needs a refrigerator, and the greatest mystery of all - Donald Trump’s hair!

Order his latest book Team of Vipers: My 500 Extraordinary Days in the Trump White House on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Today's podcast was sponsored by BetterHelp and Homesick Candles. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, visit our website at www.kickassnews.com, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Rock Star Scientist Professor Brian Cox

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 21:19:51 -0000

Science Communicator Professor Brian Cox reveals why he left a popular rock band for a career in particle physics, what he is learning through his participation in the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, and why he says the LHC has disproven the existence of ghosts. He discusses Brexit, the vital link between democracy and science, and his concern over the growing education disparity. He talks about walking in the footsteps of his hero Carl Sagan as a leading science communicator, the scientific concept that he has the hardest time explaining to non-scientists, and how the digital effects wizards behind the movie INTERSTELLAR are helping him elucidate the wonders of the universe in his spectacular new live show UNIVERSAL: ADVENTURES IN SPACE AND TIME. Plus Brian says he's ready to call a truce in his ongoing feud with Deepak Chopra.

Visit www.profbriancoxlive.com for dates, tickets and information for Brian Cox's live tour UNIVERSAL: ADVENTURES IN SPACE AND TIME. Subscribe to Brian’s podcast THE INFINITE MONKEY CAGE and follow him on twitter at @ProfBrianCox. Today's podcast was sponsored by Homesick Candles, Flatiron School, and Blinkist. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, visit our website at www.kickassnews.com, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Filmmaker Joe Berlinger Goes in the Dark Mind of Ted Bundy

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Award-winning filmmaker Joe Berlinger (Brother's Keeper, The Paradise Lost trilogy) reexamines America's most notorious serial killer on the 30th anniversary of his execution in his new Netflix documentary Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes. He discusses how one of Bundy’s first jobs gave him an inside view of the flaws in America’s law enforcement system, how Bundy exploited those weaknesses to his own devilish advantage, and how it led to dramatic changes in how the FBI hunts serial killers and how state and local police share information. We talk about how Ted Bundy’s clean cut good looks helped him elude capture, and the movie heart-throb who Joe Berlinger cast as Bundy in his new feature film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. We talk about the media circus that turned Ted Bundy into a household name, the influence that the Bundy trial had on the true crime genre, and why Berlinger, known as the father of the true crime documentary, doesn’t actually like the term "true crime."

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes is available on Netflix beginning January 24 and look for Joe's feature film Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile at the Sundance Film Festival this weekend and in theatres soon. Keep up with Joe at www.joeberlinger.com or on Twitter at @JoeBerlinger. Today's episode is sponsored by Betterhelp. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, visit our website at www.kickassnews.com, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Dr. Phil Says People Never Stop Surprising Him

Mon, 21 Jan 2019 23:58:08 -0000

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Dr. Steven Pinker Says Good News Is a Hard Sell

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 21:09:10 -0000

A year ago, Dr. Steven Pinker's book Enlightenment Now made headlines for giving hard data that proved that the world is safer, happier, and freer than ever, but he was surprised by how many people just don't want to believe good news! Today Dr. Pinker returns to the podcast to review the metrics of societal progress that continue to show that the world just keeps getting better, but he also discusses two areas that give him cause for concern. Steven Pinker ponders whether the immigration debate might actually be a positive turning point as polls show that Americans are rejecting alternative facts and alarmism. He reveals how genetics may play a part in our political preferences and explores how linguistics can make for more productive political discussions. Dr. Pinker recalls growing up during the turbulent 60’s in Montreal and how he went from a teenage anarchist to a leading proponent of science, reason, humanism, and progress. Plus we discuss his ongoing fight against political correctness, why we need to stop giving words too much power, and why he says those baby boomers who say millenials are a generation of snowflakes have no one but themselves.

Order his latest book Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Keep up with him on Twitter at @sapinker or at www.stevenpinker.com. Today's podcast was sponsored by Blinkist. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, visit our website at www.kickassnews.com, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Howie Mandel's Audience Is His Muse

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Howie Mandel talks about making his first comedy special in 20 years, his childhood growing up in Toronto, and how the show Candid Camera inspired him to pull an elaborate prank that got him expelled form high school. He shares how "winging it" the first time he want on stage turned into his signature improvisational style, and how he still finds much of his comedic inspiration from interacting with his audience. He recalls opening for Diana Ross in Vegas, his very first TONIGHT SHOW appearance, how the HBO YOUNG COMEDIANS SPECIAL changed his life, and the time when a sitcom audition led to his getting cast in the serious TV medical drama SAINT ELSEWHERE. Howie reveals why he originally turned down the offer to host DEAL OR NO DEAL and the anxiety he gets whenever he sees contestants making bad decisions on the show. He opens up about his struggle with obsessive compulsive disorder, and how he went from fearing that it might be a career killer to using his fame to raise awareness of mental health issues. Plus Howie Mandel gives the secret to winning the golden buzzer on AMERICA'S GOT TALENT.

Howie's new comedy special HOWIE MANDEL PRESENTS HOWIE MANDEL AT THE HOWIE MANDEL COMEDY CLUB this Friday Jan 18 at 10PM E/P on Showtime. DEAL OR NO DEAL airs Wednesdays at 9AM ET on CNBC and AGT: CHAMPIONS airs Mondays on NBC at 8PM ET. Follow Howie on Twitter at @HowieMandel. Today's episode is sponsored by Flatiron School and Hackable podcast. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, visit our website at www.kickassnews.com, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Broad City's Abbi Jacobson on the Road Trip as Therapy

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Abbi Jacobson opens up about the frustrations of TV development hell, playing “herself” on Comedy Central’s Broad City, and being a woman in a position of power. She discusses her ongoing struggle with work-life balance, how it took a book deal just to make her take 3 weeks off to travel the country and get over a broken heart, and how that trip taught her that “the things we’re most afraid of, are the things that will most change us.” Abbi reveals how she and co-creator Ilana Wexler got Amy Poehler to champion Broad City for television, how they convinced Hillary Clinton to guest star in the middle of the election, and what you can learn about a TV network from the snack selection in the lobby. Plus Abbi Jacobson talks aura readings in Sedona, feeling a little out of place at a Mormon lodge in Utah, and why a bed and breakfast is the worst place to go when you just want to be alone!

Order Abbi's new book I Might Regret This: Essays, Drawings, Vulnerabilities, and Other Stuff on Amazon or wherever books are sold. Keep up with Abbi on Twitter at @AbbiJacobson, and don’t miss the final season of Broad City beginning January 24 on Comedy Central. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, visit our website at www.kickassnews.com, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Brad Meltzer on the Secret Plot to Kill George Washington

Mon, 07 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Brad Meltzer is the #1 bestselling author of political thrillers like The Escape Artist and The Inner Circle. Today he talks about making his first foray into nonfiction for his latest book The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington, all the research that went into it, and his initial concern that a long forgotten rumor of a secret plot to assassinate America’s founding father might turn out to be just that - a rumor. He tells the story of America’s "other Benedict Arnold" and the deadly conspiracy by some of the very men charged with protecting George Washington’s life. He reveals how the incident gave birth to American counterintelligence, why Washington wasted no time in making an example of one of the traitor, and why there was a deliberate effort to cover-up the plot to kill Washington for more than 240 years. Plus he shares some of the wild conspiracy theories he hears from his fans at book signings, his alarm over the explosion of conspiracy thinking and paranoia in American politics, and a few memories of his friend the late President George H.W. Bush.

Order THE FIRST CONSPIRACY: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington on Amazon or wherever books are sold. Keep up with Brad at BradMeltzer.com or on twitter at @BradMeltzer. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, visit our website at www.kickassnews.com, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Bill Murray (Rerun)

Thu, 03 Jan 2019 09:00:00 -0000

Actor Bill Murray (Lost in Translation, Rushmore) discusses how his music and poetry album New Worlds evolved out of a chance meeting with classical cellist Jan Vogler on a flight from Berlin to NYC. Plus, Bill Murray shares his philosophy of life, his favorite American humorists, and his thoughts on being an internet folk hero.

New Worlds is available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, or wherever you buy music. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Bob Woodward on Nixon, Impeachment, & How Power Corrupts (Rerun)

Mon, 31 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is a rerun of my interview with journalist Bob Woodward that originally aired 11/04/15. Bob talks about his book "THE LAST OF THE PRESIDENT'S MEN" which chronicles the White House career of Alexander Butterfield, who served as deputy assistant to President Nixon. Through countless documents and hours of interviews, Butterfield gave Bob Woodward a revealing glimpse into the disfunction, paranoia, and corruption in the Nixon White House. Woodward talks about how Alex Butterfield oversaw the installation of the infamous taping machine in the Oval Office and served as the right-hand man to Nixon Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman. We'll talk about the isolated world of Richard Nixon, Nixon's relationship with his wife and with Henry Kissinger, Nixon's awkward though likely unconsummated flirtations with White House secretaries, and the chip on Nixon's shoulder that haunted him his entire life. Plus we'll talk about the man known as "Deep Throat."

If you enjoy this episode, then go to Amazon to order Bob Woodward's fascinating new book "THE LAST OF THE PRESIDENT'S MEN."

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Remembering Anthony Bourdain (Rerun)

Thu, 27 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Today's episode is a rerun of an interview with Anthony Bourdain that originally aired 10/12/17. Anthony speaks candidly about the problem of food waste, who is to blame, and who is working on solutions. He discusses how he and his fellow chefs have been fighting this battle for years in their own kitchens, including embracing the "snout to tail" movement, renaming so called "trash fish," and even turning table scraps into delicious pork. He also shares how he manages to juggle his a hectic travel schedule, waxes about his love of Vietnam, and reveals some of his most cherished comfort foods. Plus, Tony and I gripe about California's newly revived foie gras ban and the term "foodie."

Anthony Bourdain's new documentary Wasted: The Story of Food Waste is available in the theatres, on demand, on Amazon, and on iTunes beginning this Friday, October 13. Visit www.wastedfilm.com for more information. Keep up with Anthony Bourdain on his website www.explorepartsunknown.com or on Twitter at @Bourdain.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Nadex. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our annual listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/KICK. Visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan on Becoming Laurel & Hardy

Mon, 24 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0000

John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan discuss their childhood love of the Laurel & Hardy movies, stepping into the shoes of the legendary comedy duo for their new film Stan & Ollie, and the transformation that allowed John to step in the famously large pants of Oliver Hardy. They share how Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy's 35 year showbiz partnership was a lot like a marriage, what it was like for Steve and John to find that same chemistry (having never worked together before), and how their director's emergency apendactomy gave them an opportunity to bond during an impromptu pilgrimage to Stan Laurel's hometown in England. Plus John C. Reilly talks about being part of another famous comedy duo with Will Ferrell, Steve and John reveal how they recreated some of Laurel and Hardy's most iconic routines, and we debate the pros and cons of the old Hollywood studio system and the controversy over Oliver Hardy’s most memorable line.

Stan & Ollie which opens in theatres in New York and Los Angeles this Friday December 28. Visit www.sonyclassics.com/stanandollie for showtimes and more information. Today's podcast was sponsored by BetDSI.com. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, visit our website at www.kickassnews.com, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Leon Panetta on Governing by Leadership Instead of by Crisis

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 19:46:08 -0000

talks about hard decisions, worthy fights, and "governing by leadership instead of by crisis." He recalls growing up in Monterey, California as the first generation of Italian immigrants and warns the Trump Administration’s harsh...

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The Office's Paul Lieberstein Turns Back Pain into Laughs

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Paul Lieberstein (THE OFFICE) talks about his 20 year struggle with crippling back pain inspired his funny and moving directorial debut film SONG OF BACK AND NECK. He shares how the king of indie filmmaking Mark Duplass convinced him to make the movie himself rather than selling it to a Hollywood studio, how he made something as seemingly mundane as back pain visually interesting on the screen, and the complications that arise when you're directing yourself. We talk about his nine seasons playing Toby on THE OFFICE and what it was like to do double duty as actor and show runner. He reveals that NBC initially didn’t think the show would last more than a few episodes and weighs in recent talk of an OFFICE revival. Plus, he addresses how THE OFFICE’s Michael Scott might fare in the age of Me Too, whether there was more to Michael Scott’s visceral hatred for Toby, and some favorite fan theories including one that suggests that Toby was secretly the "Scranton killer."

Watch Paul Lieberstein's wonderful film SONG OF BACK AND NECK available on Video on Demand, and follow Paul on twitter at @PaulLieberstein. Today's podcast was sponsored by Espresso Monster, BetDSI.com, Zeel, and Ben Sasse's audiobook Them: Why We Hate Each Other and How to Heal. Subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, visit our website at www.kickassnews.com, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Pete Holmes Talks Fatherhood, Comedy, and Making It Weird

Fri, 14 Dec 2018 00:43:56 -0000

Comedian Pete Holmes talks about his new HBO comedy special PETE HOLMES: DIRTY CLEAN, paying his dues as a comic, and all of life’s weird and wonderful questions. Pete says standup is still his first love, but podcasting is how he makes friends these days, and he believes everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, should start of podcast of their own. He talks about being a brand new father, why his audiences always want him to complain about his baby, and why he’s determined not to be that parent who indoctrinates his daughter with his own beliefs. He discusses growing up evangelical, his spiritual evolution, how he learned that comedians aren’t all sinful scumbags...and even if they are, they can still be pretty good people. He reveals what’s autobiographical on his series CRASHING, the real life comedians behind some of the words of wisdom that he receives on the show, and how he’s addressing the Me Too movement in Season 3. Plus, Pete Holmes offers some sage advice like "tell a pregnant woman she looks small," "tell twins they’re nothing alike," "be better than a grouper," and "don’t be a slave to an iWatch."

PETE HOLMES: DIRTY CLEAN debuts Saturday (12/15) at 10:00 PM E/P on HBO. Mark your calendars for Season 3 of CRASHING which begins January 20 on HBO, and subscribe to Pete's podcast YOU MADE IT WEIRD on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you like to listen. Follow Pete on twitter at @peteholmes.

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Tha Fabulous Tina Brown Returns

Mon, 10 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0000

The legendary Tina Brown returns to talk about growing up in an entertainment family, how she got expelled from 3 different boarding schools for being a “subversive influence,” and how that same subversiveness served her well as editor of Vanity Fair. Tina talks about her 37 year marriage to the former editor of The Sunday Times - Harry Evans, and their morning ritual of having a “news buffet.” She talks about turning around The New Yorker after her successful run at Vanity Fair, how she adapted from magazines to the immediacy of digital news when she founded The Daily Beast, and what is was like working with media mogul Barry Diller. She recalls her torturous years running Talk Magazine with the infamous Harvey Weinstein, finding some peculiar open-ended book contracts with young women when she ran Talk Books, and leading the charge of the Me Too era with her Women in the World Summit. She reveals what recently attracted her to enter the world of podcasting, how her new show TBD with Tina Brown is a return to her roots as a journalist, and why “the mix” still matters whether you’re running a magazine or a podcast. Plus, the author of The Diana Chronicles has some advice for Meghan Markle on how to navigate palace intrigues.

Subscribe to Tina's new podcast TBD with Tina Brown on Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen, learn more about her Women in the World Summit at www.womenintheworld.com, and follow her on twitter at @TinaBrownLM. Today's episode was sponsored by Human Rights Watch, Espresso Monster, and The Flatiron School. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Historian H.W. Brands on Washington in the Age of Compromise

Thu, 06 Dec 2018 21:15:43 -0000

Historian H.W. Brands discusses his new book Heirs of the Founders: The Epic Rivalry of Henry Clay, John Calhoun and Daniel Webster, the Second Generation of American Giants. Professor Brands talks about how these three political giants crafted the Compromise of 1850 which barely held the Union together, why none of these three men was ever elected President, and how compromise went from being politics at its finest to a dirty word in today’s Washington. He discusses John Calhoun’s beliefs that slavery was a moral virtue and that states had the right to nullify any federal law, and he says that the moralizing of abolitionists like Daniel Webster actually drove Calhoun to take an increasingly more extreme position on slavery. He recalls Webster's legendary oratory skills in the days when eloquence was a ticket to political fame, and how one of Webster’s speeches once brought the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to tears. Then he shares how Henry Clay earned the nickname "the great compromiser" by playing referee between Webster and Calhoun, and why Clay believed that the South would eventually outgrow slavery if he could just postpone a civil war long enough.

Order his new book Heirs of the Founders: The Epic Rivalry of Henry Clay, John Calhoun and Daniel Webster, the Second Generation of American Giants on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold and follow him on twitter at @hwbrands. Today's episode was sponsored by The Flatiron School. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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The Daily Show's Trevor Noah

Mon, 03 Dec 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Trevor Noah talks about his new standup special TREVOR NOAH: SON OF PATRICIA and why he dedicated it to his mom whom he calls “the first comedian that he ever saw” and “most gangster human being you’ll ever meet in your life.” He discusses growing up in South Africa during Apartheid, the power of humor to fight oppression, and why he believes that hateful words aren’t nearly as important as addressing with the hate itself. He shares how the 2016 election affected his own vision for THE DAILY SHOW, why the current President reminds him of certain African dictators, and how he deciphers what’s news and what’s nonsense in the age of Trump. Plus Trevor talks about interviewing President Barak Obama, whether he would be down to do the same with Donald Trump, and the question that he would most like ask the 45th President.

Watch Trevor Noah's new standup special TREVOR NOAH: SON OF PATRICIA now available on Netflix, order his memoir BORN A CRIME on Amazon, and watch THE DAILY SHOW WITH TREVOR NOAH every weeknight at 11PM ET on Comedy Central. Visit www.trevornoah.com for more on Trevor including upcoming tour dates, and follow him on twitter at @TrevorNoah. Today's episode was sponsored by Human Rights Watch, Espresso Monster, Zeel, and Bombas. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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David Priess Reveals How to Get Rid of a President

Thu, 29 Nov 2018 09:00:00 -0000

David Priess returns to deliver a colorful political history of the schemes, maneuvers, and conspiracies that have attempted to remove unwanted presidents. He discusses the various President’s who’ve died in office of natural and unnatural causes including two President’s who some suspect may have been poisoned and a bizarre conspiracy by a cabal of wealthy businessman to overthrow President Franklin Roosevelt. He explains the 25th Amendment which allows for the President’s Cabinet and Congress to declare a leader physically or mentally unfit to serve, the two Presidents who played instrumental roles in crafting it, and the closest we ever came to using it. He walks us through the surprising history of Presidential mental illness and why some of Richard Nixon’s closest advisors questioned whether he was mentally stable. We talk about the process of impeachment, when Presidential lies rise the level of a "high crime or misdemeanor," and whether he thinks Congress could realistically impeach President Trump. Plus, the man who served as the daily intelligence briefer to former FBI director Robert Mueller weighs in on the Russia investigation, what might be going through Mueller's mind right now, and what we can expect as the investigation winds toward a conclusion.

Order David Priess's book How to Get Rid of a President: History's Guide to Removing Unpopular, Unable, or Unfit Chief Executives on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Keep up with David at www.lawfareblog.com/contributors/dpriess or on twitter at @DavidPriess. Today's episode was sponsored by The Flatiron School. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Author Michael Connelly on Cops, Crime Reporting, and Classic Noir

Mon, 26 Nov 2018 20:34:00 -0000

Best-selling crime novelist Michael Connelly talks about his literary hero Raymond Chandler, how he followed in the footsteps of the king of detective noir when he first came to Los Angeles, and how Chandler’s novels influenced his own writing. He reveals why he spent over two decades working as a crime reporter before diving into fiction, how he went about cultivating relationships with LAPD’s top homicide detectives, and how those sources still inform his work today. He talks about creating his most famous character Harry Bosch, how he came to name him after the 15th century Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, and how Michael's role as a writer and executive producer of the BOSCH television series has influenced his novels including his latest book DARK SACRED NIGHT. Plus Michael Connelly shares why he gravitates to characters who are loners, some of the craziest things that his friends at LAPD have ever seen, and why he’s jumping into the world of true crime podcasts for his next project.

Order Michael Connelly's book DARK SACRED NIGHT on Amazon, watch BOSCH available on Amazon Prime Video, and subscribe to his upcoming podcast MURDER BOOK on Apple Podcasts or wherever you like listen. Keep up with Michael at www.michaelconnelly.com or on twitter at @ConnellyBooks. Today's episode was sponsored by Human Rights Watch and The Flatiron School. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Dan Rather on the Values That Unite America

Thu, 22 Nov 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Legendary newsman Dan Rather talks about his 60 year career and how his travels and conversations have given him a “wide shot” of the American experience and the values that unite us. He condemns recent attacks on some on those values (including freedom of the press), he shares his own family's experience during the Great Depression as a lesson in empathy, and he recalls how his time spent with men like Martin Luther King Jr. and Medger Evers opened his eyes to institutionalized racism in America. He talks frankly about how his own thinking has evolved on some social issues, and he weighs in on the recent rash of sexual harassment scandals that have rocked the news business. He discusses a few of the dozen Presidents he’s known in his 60 years as a journalist and reveals the one word that has always carried Dan Rather through good times and bad.

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General Stanley McChrystal on Myths and Realities of Great Leaders

Mon, 19 Nov 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Order General McChrystal's book Leaders: Myth and Reality on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Today's episode was sponsored by Espresso Monster, Homecoming on Amazon Prime Video, Zeel, Bombas, and Flatiron School. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Willem Dafoe on Art, Acting and "Embracing the Mystery"

Fri, 16 Nov 2018 02:10:37 -0000

Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe (Platoon, Spiderman, The Grand Budapest Hotel) shares how his beginnings in experimental theater inform his acting, what draws him to independent films, and what it’s like to make his 100th movie. He talks about how his latest film At Eternity's Gate challenges the image of Vincent Van Gogh as a unappreciated mad genius and rethinks the constructs of the traditional biopic. He reveals what it was like to immerse himself in Van Gogh’s world and find his inspiration in the very same scenery that inspired one of the greatest artists of all time. He discusses the pressure of having to recreate iconic works art in real time and in front of the camera, and how artist/director Julian Schnabel taught him to "paint the light." Plus we talk about the time Willem Dafoe tried to summon the ghost of Houdini and the beauty of "embracing the mystery in life."

See Willem Dafoe in At Eternity's Gate opening in theaters November 16. Today's episode was sponsored by National Security Agency Career Recruitment, Homecoming on Amazon Prime Video, and Loop Jewelry. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Washington Post Reporter Greg Miller on Trump, Russia, and the Assault on the Free Press

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Greg Miller is one of the reporters for The Washington Post who received the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting for his groundbreaking stories on Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, and the resulting investigations of the Trump campaign and administration. Today he shares how he cornered the Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak at a science conference in Washington and caught General Michael Flynn in a blatant lie about his dealings with Russian officials. He describes the almost comical level of incompetence surrounding the 2016 DNC hacks, gives an insider's look at the secretive Russian hacking agencies known as Cozy Bear and Fancy Bear, and the troll farm behind Russia’s social media influence campaign. He defends the Post’s longstanding practice of using anonymous sources and explains how they go about verifying those stories. Greg reveals efforts by the White House to derail the Washington Post’s reporting on Trump’s Russia connections, and how he learned that President Trump discussed targeting him personally and even putting him in jail for refusing to reveal his sources. Plus he discusses what happened to the Trump-Mueller meeting that never was and we speculate on just what it is that Vladimir Putin might have on Donald Trump.

Order Greg Miller's book The Apprentice: Trump, Russia, and the Subversion of American Democracy on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. You can read Greg’s reporting in The Washington Post and follow him on twitter at @gregpmiller. Today's episode was sponsored by National Security Agency Career Recruitment, Homecoming on Amazon Prime Video, Flatiron School, and the StarTalk All-Stars podcast. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Comedian Chris Gethard on the Art of Losing

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 20:56:29 -0000

Comedian Chris Gethard illustrates his personal and professional manifesto "lose well" with hilarious and ultimately empowering tales about his own missteps, misadventures, and public failures from the cancellation of his Comedy Central sitcom after ten episodes to rediscovering his comedic voice and life’s purpose on a public access channel. He recalls how getting miscast in a school production of Bye Bye Birdie changed his life, the time he invited a heckler on stage during his comedy set, and why the host of a rival cable access show tried to sue him for "violating her Constitutional rights.” He discusses his love for Andy Kaufman, ponders whatever happened to cable access tv, and shares some of the wonderfully weird things he got away with on The Chris Gethard Show. Plus, Chris reveals how he handles political differences on his show Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People and talks about "the worst scumbag he ever met."

Order Chris Gerhard's book Lose Well on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Subscribe to his podcast Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People on Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen and follow Chris Gethard on Twitter at @ChrisGethard. Today's episode was sponsored by National Security Agency Career Recruitment and Espresso Monster. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Roger Daltrey on The Who, Woodstock, and his Rock 'n Roll Life

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 00:58:08 -0000

Roger Daltrey, founder/lead singer of The Who, discusses how the hardships experienced by Brits in WWII paved the way for the musical revolution of the 1960s, he recalls what it was like to be the poster-boys for the British “mod” movement (and why he never fully embraced the fad), and he remembers the “utter chaos” of performing at Woodstock. He talks about how he and Peter Townsend pushed each other’s creative boundaries during the making of the first rock opera Tommy, how he managed to resist the drug fueled excess the 60s, and how it led to quite a bit of tension with his bandmates - especially The Who’s famously reckless drummer Keith Moon. Roger also reveals how he processed Moon’s tragic death in 1978, how it led to the band’s breakup in the early 80s, and a how it took a Silicon Valley con man to finally reunite the band.

Order Roger Daltrey's new book Thanks a Lot, Mr. Kibblewhite: My Story on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Follow The Who on twitter at @TheWho. Today's episode was sponsored by National Security Agency Career Recruitment, Homecoming on Amazon Prime Video, Loop Jewelry, and Flatiron School. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Sir Michael Caine on Old Movie Stars, Young Cockneys, and Life Lessons

Thu, 01 Nov 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Sir Michael Caine has starred in over 100 movies and won two Academy Awards, and today he shares stories and advice from his remarkable career. He reveals why he never believed in taking advice from older movie stars, why he never wanted to be James Bond, and how the 1960’s made it cool to be a young cockney in the movies. He recalls his humble working class beginnings in the projects of London known as the Elephant Castle, shares how he learned his famous discipline while serving in the Korean War, and advises young actors to "make reliability your brand." He talks about coming out of his self-imposed retirement over 20 years ago and says he’s getting better parts now at age 85 than he did when he was a young leading man. Plus Michael Caine on why John Wayne never wore suede shoes, John Huston on a director's most important job, having the best time of his life filming Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and doing Vegas with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack.

Order Michael Caine's wonderful new book Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And Other Lessons in Life on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold, and follow him on twitter at @themichaelcaine. Today's episode was sponsored by Espresso Monster and National Security Agency Career Recruitment. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Senator Ben Sasse on Political Division and America's Loneliness Epidemic

Mon, 29 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Senator Ben Sasse does a deep dive into the societal shifts affecting modern American life and the roots of our political divisiveness. He talk about the outsized role politics plays in our daily lives, how "polititainment" celebrities like Sean Hannity are fueling dangerous tribalism in America, and how to build a healthier tribe of family and friends instead of political outrage. He shares recent data that indicates that Americans are feeling increasingly lonely, and explains how the digital economy and smart technology are leading us to pull up our roots and lose our sense of community. He then reveals how his own family has embraced the idea of a "digital Sabbath" and shares a few of his favorite tips for unplugging and living in the moment. Plus I ask Senator Ben Sasse if he’s still comfortable with a GOP that seems to be remaking itself in President Trump's image and what would it take for Senator Sasse to challenge Trump for the nomination in 2020.

Order Senator Ben Sasse's important new book Them: Why We Hate Each Other--and How to Heal on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold, and follow him on twitter at @SenSasse. Today's episode was sponsored by Heineken and National Security Agency Career Recruitment. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Anthony Atamanuik Opens Up the Trump Presidential Archives

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Anthony Atamanuik, host of Comedy Central's The President Show returns to the podcast to talk about his new book American Tantrum: The Donald J. Trump Presidential Archives, why the President wants to open his Presidential Library while he's still in office, and what kind of secrets we might find in there. He shares the reason why he stopped doing field pieces in public as Donald Trump, he delves into the strange psyche of the man, and theorizes that Trump might actually welcome news of his extramarital affairs. He talks about his new Comedy Central special A President Show Documentary: The Fall Of Donald Trump and gives us a glimpse of what’s to come with the 45th President. Then I get the "President" himself to weigh in on Justice Kavanaugh’s first few weeks on the Supreme Court, how Melania is handling the Stormy Daniels scandal, and who he thinks wrote that anonymous op-ed in the New York Times.

Order his book American Tantrum: The Donald J. Trump Presidential Archives on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. His special A President Show Documentary: The Fall Of Donald Trump is available on Comedy Central On Demand and follow him on twitter at @TonyAtamanuik. Today's episode was sponsored by Heineken and National Security Agency Career Recruitment. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Julian Castro Is Always Looking Ahead

Mon, 22 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Julian Castro graduated high school a year early, won election to city council while he was still in law school, and became San Antonio's youngest mayor at age 27, before eventually serving as President Obama's Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and making Hillary Clinton's short-list for VP in 2016. He talks about his family's American dream including the remarkable story of how his Grandmother fled the violence of the Mexican Civil War for America and the values that his political activist mother instilled in he and his twin brother Joaquin. He shares how he and Joaquin tied each other in their first election for Stanford University’s student senate and how a young Julian Castro ran for San Antonio city council and WON by winning over elderly voters. He talks about his initiatives as Mayor to promote citizen engagement and pre-K education, why he first turned down a cabinet appointment in the Obama Administration, and what he calls the “weird experience” of being vetted to be Hillary Clinton’s running-mate in 2016. Plus he talks seriously about running for the top spot in 2020 and lays out his playbook for beating Donald Trump.

Order An Unlikely Journey: Waking Up from My American Dream on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold, and follow Julian Castro on twitter at @Julian Castro. Today's episode was sponsored by Heineken, Espresso Monster, and National Security Agency Career Recruitment. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Legendary Sports Announcer Verne Lundquist

Thu, 18 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Legendary sports broadcaster Verne Lundquist recalls some of his favorite moments in sports and some of his favorite calls from Jack Nicklaus's final victory at the 1986 Masters and Tonya Harding's attack on Nancy Kerrigan at the 1994 Olympics to Christian Laettner's buzzer beater in the NCAA tournament and the Auburn-Alabama shocker of 2013. Verne shares why one radio station owner wanted him to change his name to "Jerry Lund," why he hated his short lived stint as a local news reporter in San Antonio, and how Tex Schram lured him to Dallas to become the voice of the Cowboys. He recalls how Scott Hamilton gave him a crash course in skating during his first Winter Olympics, why he took it as a demotion when CBS first moved him from covering the NFL to the South Eastern Conference, and he gets a little sentimental when he talks about the huge sendoff that he got during his final season announcing SEC football.

Order Play by Play: Calling the Wildest Games in Sports-From SEC Football to College Basketball, The Masters, and More on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Today's episode was sponsored by Tahereh Mafi's A Very Large Expanse of Sea, Heineken, National Security Agency Recruitment, and BambooHR. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Doris Kearns Goodwin on Presidential Leadership

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin revisits four of her favorite U.S. Presidents for her new book Leadership: In Turbulent Times. Today she discusses the ideological family tree shared by Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson, how their character was shaped by their setbacks, and how their destinies were forged in times of crisis. She shares how Abraham Lincoln gave purpose to the Civil War, how Teddy Roosevelt averted a coal strike that would have left millions of Americans in the cold, how Franklin Roosevelt got America through our greatest economic crisis by talking to every American as a trusted friend, and how Lyndon Johnson managed to accomplish what JFK could not on civil rights. She recounts a meeting between a wily President Franklin Roosevelt and a young Congressman Lyndon Johnson, the time Theodore Roosevelt showed up to cheer on his own protesters, and how President LBJ gradually won over a very young and very skeptical Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Order Leadership: In Turbulent Times on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. Keep up with Dorris Kearns Goodwin at www.doriskearnsgoodwin.com or on twitter at @DorisKGoodwin. Today's episode was sponsored by Espresso Monster, Heineken, Bombas, and BambooHR. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Founder of "The Onion" Scott Dikkers

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0000

As the founder of The Onion, Scott Dikkers practically invented "fake news." He discusses the origins of the satirical news site as a print newspaper on college campuses, how he drew inspiration from National Lampoon and Spy Magazine, and the article about Bill Clinton and the War in Bosnia that prompted The Onion to finally go online. He recalls creating cable news parodies with a young Stephen Colbert on the Dana Carvey Show, how the Onion fooled Mahmud Ahmadenijad, and the article that led Donald Trump to threaten to sue. Then Scott shares why he’s turning his sharp wit on billionaire Elon Musk in his new book Welcome to the Future Which Is Mine.

Order Welcome to the Future Which Is Mine on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Read the latest sidesplitting headlines on the Onion at www.theonion.com, and keep up with Scott at www.ScottDikkers.com or on Twitter at @ScottDikkers. Today's episode was sponsored by Heineken. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Mitch Albom on Life, Death, and Morrie

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Mitch Albom is the author the all time best-selling memoir Tuesday's with Morrie and six #1 Bestsellers that have sold over a million copies worldwide. He talks about his new novel The Next Person You Meet in Heaven, how losing his adopted daughter to cancer inspired his latest book, and what the book has to say about mistakes and forgiveness. He reveals how difficult it was to get Tuesdays with Morrie published, some of the lessons from Morrie Schwartz that have come to mean more to him 20 years later, and what Morrie who preached “don’t buy into the culture" would think about our social media obsessed society. Plus Mitch discusses how came to care for an entire orphanage in Haiti, the band he formed with Stephen King and other famous writers, and the five people he would like to meet in heaven.

Order The Next Person You Meet in Heaven available 10/9 on Amazon, Audible or wherever books are sold. For more on Mitch, visit www.mitchalbom.com and follow him on twitter at @MitchAlbom. Today's episode was sponsored by Heineken and BambooHR. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Jeff Bridges Gets Zen About Art, Acting, and the Environment

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Jeff Bridges discusses his 6 decades in Hollywood and what he learned about acting from dad Lloyd Bridges. He recalls the "Little Rascals" version of Tucker that he and Francis Ford Coppola made prior to filming, laughing it up with Robin Williams and Terry Gilliam on the set of The Fisher King, and how he and his brother Beau tested each other during The Fabulous Baker Boys. He shares stories about making The Last Picture Show, King Kong, Heaven's Gate, The Contender, and True Grit. He talks about The Big Lebowski fandom, how he feels about being identified with his iconic character "the Dude," and why he says the Dude is a zenmaster. Then Jeff Bridges gets zen about the environment with his new documentary Living in the Future's Past. He discusses how we can take a more global approach to climate change, explains the evolutionary roots of our energy consumption, and says humans collectively form a super-organism that is exhausting resources at a faster and faster pace. He calls for the removal of politics from the climate debate and suggests how everyone can make individuals changes that can have a big impact.

Living in the Future's Past opens in theaters Friday, October 5. Visit www.livinginthefuturespastfilm.com for information and showtimes. Be sure to catch his other film Bad Times at the El Royale opening in theaters Friday, October 12. Keep up with Jeff at www.jeffbridges.com. Today's podcast was sponsored by Heineken and Espresso Monster. Visit Kickass News at www.kickassnews.com, subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts, and follow us on twitter at @KickassNewsPod.

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Cisco's John Chambers on Leadership in a Startup World

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 08:00:00 -0000

John Chambers is widely considered one of the world’s greatest business leaders, and today he discusses how he turned Cisco into a global tech giant with $47 billion in revenues and 70,000 employees. He talks about his early years working at IBM and Wang Laboratories and how those experiences led to his lifelong mantra “disrupt or be disrupted.” He opens up about his struggle with dyslexia, how it helped him see 4 and 5 chess moves ahead as a CEO, and why he encourages other business leaders to “think like a dyslexic.” He explains how Cisco acquired and absorbed 180 companies, how Cisco vanquished nearly 100 rivals, and the pitfalls of “doing the right thing for too long.” He reveals how Cisco survived the 2001 dot com crash, the advice that GE’s Jack Welch gave him in the company’s darkest hour, and how that close-call better prepared him when the financial crisis hit a few years later. John suggests the US could learn something about innovation from France, he shares how he’s planning to replace coal jobs with tech jobs in his homestate of West Virginia, and why he is making a big bet that crickets are the food of the future.

Order John Chambers's book Connecting the Dots: Lessons for Leadership in a Startup World on Amazon. Today’s episode was sponsored by Heineken and Ziprecruiter.

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CBS White House Correspondent Major Garrett

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 08:00:00 -0000

CBS News' chief White House correspondent Major Garrett has covered the last 4 administrations but says nothing could prepare him for President Donald Trump. He recalls his strange first encounter with the reality TV star who would become President and the craziest 11 days he’s ever experienced as a White House correspondent. He discusses the many ways in which the President is his own worst enemy, how the President’s failure at healtchare reform lead to his success on tax reform, and yet he learned nothing from it. He shares some of the reasons why many Republicans have said no thanks to a job in the Trump Administration, why the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation is a must win for Trump, and why he believes we are already witnessing a transformative Presidency.

Order Major Garrett's new book MR. TRUMP’S WILD RIDE: THE THRILLS, CHILLS, SCREAMS, AND OCCASIONAL BLACKOUTS OF AN EXTRAORDINARY PRESIDENCY on Amazon. See Major regularly reporting from the White House on CBS News, subscribe to his podcast The Takeout on Apple Podcast or wherever you like to listen, and follow him on twitter at @MajorCBS. Today’s episode was sponsored by Heineken.

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Ken Burns on the Mayo Clinic Miracle

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns discusses his new film The Mayo Clinic: Faith Hope Science and tells incredible story of a country physician and a Franciscan nun who built the medical institution known as “The Miracle in Minnesota.” He talks about the natural disaster that led to the formation of the Mayo Clinic, their astounding success rate at a time when going to a hospital was considered a death sentence, and how Dr. W.W. Mayo and his staff innovated everything from sterilization and surgery right down to patient medical records. Then he reveals how the Mayo Clinic continues to take the profit motive out of medicine and put the focus back on the patient today, how an institution with more than 62,000 employees still manages to provide personalized care rather than treat people like a number, and why the doctors of the Mayo Clinic believe that faith and hope are every bit as essential to healing as science. Plus Ken Burns shares just a few of the touching testimonials from people whose lives were changed by the Mayo Clinic including one of the final interviews with the late Senator John McCain.

The Mayo Clinic: Faith Hope Science airs on PBS on Tuesday 9/25 at 9PM ET and airs again on Wednesday 9/26. For more information, visit www.pbs.org. Today’s episode was sponsored by Heineken, Emma Email Marketing, Bombas, and the Around the NFL podcast.

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Sir Richard Branson on his Adventures in Business, Space, and Beyond

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Sir Richard Branson talks about The Virgin Group philosophy, why he likes to act fast when launching a new business, and how many of his best ideas came from his own desires and frustrations as a consumer. He gives advice to young entrepreneurs and shares what he’s learned from his mistakes. He reveals his reasons for selling Virgin America to Alaska Air, and he outlines his vision of the future with Virgin Galactic and his latest venture Virgin Hyperloop One. Plus he talks about his strange lunch with Donald Trump, his most harrowing adventures, and his habit of chopping off people’s neckties.

Order Sir Richard Branson's new book FINDING MY VIRGINITY on Amazon or download the audio book at Audible. Keep up with Richard Branson at www.virgin.com or on Twitter at @richardbranson. Today’s episode is sponsored by Heineken and I Love You, But I Hate Your Politics podcast.

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Chris Stirewalt Gives a Colorful History of American Populism

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Fox News' politics editor Chris Stirewalt discusses the history of American populism, how economic resentment fuels populism even in times of huge prosperity, and why the will of the people doesn’t always make for great policy. He discusses why populist leaders are so prone to hucksterism and easy answers including one politician who literally started out as snake oil salesman, and why it’s a good thing that most populist leaders never actually get to govern. He talks about how the least likely populist President Teddy Roosevelt's progressive Bull Moose Party impacted the GOP for over a century and how George Wallace shifted the focus from economic populism to cultural populism. He explains why Pat Buchanan is the grandfather of Trumpism and how Ross Perot invented the trope of the businessman who can fix Washington. Plus we talk about the time America flirted with electing a self-professed socialist and radical, why the election of 1864 still gives Chris hope, and why modern aspiring populists would do well to study Andrew Jackson's appeal to immigrants.

Order Chris Stirewalt's book Every Man a King: A Short, Colorful History of American Populist on Amazon, subscribe to his podcast Perino and Stirewalt: I’ll Tell You What wherever you like to listen, and follow him on twitter at @Chris Stirewalt. Today’s episode was sponsored by Heineken, Emma Email Marketing, NFL Podcasts, and Espresso Monster.

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Comedian Sam Morrill's Therapist Misses Him

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 06:30:27 -0000

Comedian Sam Morrill talks about getting his start as an intern on the Colbert Report and breaking into the New York comedy scene. He reveals why dating and standup don't always mix and why his therapist misses him when he's on the road. He talks about some of the jokes that have gotten him in trouble with social justice warriors on the internet and how he handles the moral outrage machine on social media. Plus borscht belt comedy, the worst gigs ever, #MeToo, and more.

Don't miss Sam's new standup special Sam Morrill: Positive Influence on Friday 9/14 at 11PM ET/PT on Comedy Central. Visit Sam online at www.sammorrill.com and follow him on twitter at @SamMorrill. Today’s episode was sponsored by Heineken and the Move the Sticks Podcast.

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Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson on the Military Astrophysics Alliance and Trump's Space Force

Sat, 08 Sep 2018 18:23:20 -0000

returns to discuss the mutually beneficial relationship between war-makers and star-gazers. He says the military often serves as a source of creative inspiration for astrophysicists and shares some of the unexpected breakthroughs that emerged...

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Mark Leibovich Exposes the NFL's Excess and Anxiety

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Mark Leibovich, Chief National Correspondent for the New York Times Magazine, follows up his #1 bestseller THIS TOWN with a probing examination of pro-football at a moment of peak success and high anxiety BIG GAME: THE NFL IN DANGEROUS TIMES. This native Bostonian apologizes for those famously annoying Patriots fans, and discusses the Patriots superfan in the White House and Trump’s weird obsession with Tom Brady. He offers an unprecedented glimpse inside the one club that Donald Trump could never join…the exclusive group of 32 billionaire NFL owners known as “The Membership.” He reveals how Patriots owner Robert Kraft whines about not getting credit for the team’s success and some comments about Kraft’s love of New York that that have riled fans in Beantown. We talk about the rivalry between Kraft and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Mark recalls losing a drinking contest with Jones on the famously raucous Cowboys bus. He discusses fans hatred of Roger Goodell’s astronomical salary and why the “Membership” still protects the much maligned NFL Commissioner. He reveals just how worried owners were about the national anthem controversy and how it shined a light on the startling racial disparities in pro-football. Plus we talk about deflategate, Superbowl excess, concussions, and ask “has America has reached peak football?”

Order Mark Leibovich's book BIG GAME: THE NFL IN DANGEROUS TIMES on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Keep up with Mark at www.markleibovich.com or on twitter at @MarkLeibovich. Today's podcast is sponsored by Heineken, GooglePlay Audiobooks, The Dave Dameshek Football Program, and Espresso Monster.

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Amb. Wendy Sherman on Negotiating Nukes w/ Iran & North Korea

Mon, 03 Sep 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Ambassador Wendy Sherman was the lead negotiator on the Iran Nuclear Agreement, and she writes about it in her new book titled Not for the Faint of Heart: Lessons in Courage, Power, and Persistence. Today she recalls working with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to halt North Korea’s nuclear ambitions in the 90’s, and how they came close to an agreement only to see their efforts derailed by the chaos of the 2000 election. She explains why negotiating with North Korea is always "one part diplomacy and one part absurdity," she recalls her personal interactions with Kim Jung Il, and weighs in on how his successor Kim Jung Un measures up. Ambassador Sherman talks about the many months of diplomacy (both covert and overt) that went into the nuclear agreement with Iran, how much was lost when President Trump decertified the deal, and what her colleagues from across the negotiating table are saying about it. She explains why the negotiation was a lot like solving a Rubik’s Cube, just how heated things got in the behind closed doors, and why sometimes tactics are no substitute for pure raw human emotion.

Order Ambassador Wendy Sherman's book Not for the Faint of Heart: Lessons in Courage, Power, and Persistence is available on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold. Follow Ambassador Sherman on Twitter at @WendyRSherman. Today's podcast is sponsored by Heineken, NFL Podcasts, and ZipRecruiter.

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Rick Wilson on Trump, Giuliani, and "Vichy Republicans"

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 19:45:43 -0000

Republican strategist Rick Wilson was one of the very first conservatives to oppose Donald Trump and a co-founder of the Never Trump movement. Today he enumerate the many reasons why Trump is so abhorrent to him, how his opposition to Trump has caused him to feel like a pariah in his own party, and how he gets far more death threats from crazed Trump-supporters than he ever got from Democrats. He calls out the “vichy Republicans” in Washington who sold out out to Trump, and singles out former GOP Chairman Reince Priebus for special condemnation as the one person who could have stopped Trump from running away with his party’s nomination. He talks about the island of misfit toys that make up the President’s inner circle, how any person with experience and integrity the inevitably leaves the Trump White House with his reputation in tatters, and we try to make sense of what has happened to Rick’s former boss Rudy Giuliani. Rick picks apart what he calls the “But Gorsuch” argument, looks at the potential field of Republican challengers in 2020, and he speaks frankly about inevitable fallout of the Trump Presidency and the long road ahead as the GOP struggles to rebuild its brand.

Order Rick Wilson’s book Everything Trump Touches Dies: A Republican Strategist Gets Real About the Worst President Ever on Amazon or Audible. Follow Rick on Twitter at @TheRickWilson. Today's podcast is sponsored by GooglePlay Audiobooks, Emma Email Marketing, and RelentlessMV.

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Arthur Brooks on the Art of Disagreement

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -0000

As the president of the American Enterprise Institute, Arthur Brooks has long worked to foster more civilized and productive discourse, and now he is exploring the art of disagreement on his new podcast The Arthur Brooks Show. Arthur says the answer is not to stop talking with people on the opposite side of the political spectrum but to talk to each other better. Arthur describes how social media lowers our inhibitions and makes us meaner, he discusses America’s addiction to moral outrage as a form of virtue signaling, and says contemptuous political debates can actually impact our health or even lower our immune system. He talks about the science of persuasion and how we change our minds, why people take politics so personally, and recommends that everyone take a 2 week vacation from politics every now and then.

Subscribe to The Arthur Brooks Show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you like to listen. Visit the American Enterprise Institute at www.aei.org and follow Arthur on twitter at @ArthurBrooks. Today's podcast is sponsored by and Ladder Life Insurance.

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Rob Riggle Talks Improv, Jet Skis, and the Marines

Thu, 23 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Rob Riggle (The Hangover, Step Brothers) shares how a running joke spawned his latest project and what it’s like to play a "heightened version of himself" in Rob Riggle's Ski Master Academy. Rob recalls his 23 years in the Marines, what it was like handling public affairs in a country where people wanted to chop your head off, how he managed to juggle his military service with his comedy career, and his fateful decision to pass up pilot school to try his hand at standup. He talks about studying improv at the New York’s Upright Citizens Brigade, his strange interview with Lorne Michaels when he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, and why he thought he blew it during his big auditioned for The Daily Show.

Watch Rob Riggle’s Ski Master Academy for free on Sony Crackle beginning August 23. Follow Rob Riggle on twitter at @Rob Riggle, and subscribe to his podcast Riggle’s Picks on Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen. Today's podcast is sponsored by Emma Email Marketing, RelentlessMV, and Ladder Life Insurance.

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Dan Buettner Shares Longevity Secrets from the World's "Blue Zones"

Mon, 20 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -0000

National Geographic Fellow Dan Buettner has studied the the world's "blue zones" the 5 areas where people live the longest, and today he shares their secrets. He shares how calorie restriction can lengthen your life, what kind of exercises are best for longevity and mobility, and why loners rarely live to be 100. He talks about an island in Italy where the men outlive the women, why people with daughters live longer than those with sons, and how modern conveniences are driving the world’s blue zones to extinction. Then he discusses the science of happiness including why people actually get happier with age, how money really can buy happiness (but only to a point), and why genetics play a bigger role than you might think. Plus he reveals the one factor that matters most to your happiness and longevity even more than exercise and healthy eating.

Order Dan Buettner's books The Blue Zones, The Blue Zones Solution, Thrive, and The Blue Zones of Happiness on Amazon or Audible. Visit Dan's website at www.bluezones.com and follow Dan on Twitter at @BlueZones. Today's podcast is sponsored by Hidden Truth Podcast and Ladder Life Insurance.

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Greg Gutfeld: Fox News's Political Unicorn

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Greg Gutfeld discusses his new book The Gutfeld Monologues: Classic Rants from The Five and how it gave him a unique opportunity troll his own work. He talks about his political evolution starting out at liberal enclave UC Berkeley, his problem with "mob thinking," and how extremism on both the left and the right led him to Libertarianism. He recalls his early days working at the Huffington Post with his best buddy Andrew Breitbart and how a prank involving costumed dwarves got him fired as editor of Stuff Magazine. Then he shares how his quirky little late night show Red Eye became a hit on the unlikeliest of networks by giving Fox News viewers a much needed break from 24 hour politics and stoners an alternative to infomercials. He reveals how he’s broadening the Fox News demographic one unicorn at a time, how thrash metal helps him bridge the political divide, and how he mostly manages to behave on The Five. Plus Gutfeld talks about the scourge of British lad culture, cute pet videos, and Fox News’s next big hit...a talk show hosted by a dolphin.

Order The Gutfeld Monologues: Classic Rants from The Five on Amazon or Audible. Watch Greg on Fox News weekdays on The Five and Saturdays on The Greg Gutfeld Show. Subscribe Greg's podcast The One with Greg Gutfeld on Fox News Radio, Apple Podcasts, Tune In, Stitcher or wherever you like to listen. Visit Greg’s website at www.ggutfeld.com and follow him on twitter at @GregGutfeld. Special thanks to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum for hosting our interview. Today's podcast is sponsored by Emma and RelentlessMV.

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Topher Grace on How David Duke Got Duped

Mon, 13 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Topher Grace discusses playing David Duke in Spike Lee's latest film Blackkklansman about Ron Stallworth, the black cop who infiltrated the KKK. Topher talks about the agony of reading David Duke’s autobiography for the role, why Duke still denies that he was ever fooled by a black man, and how Duke was using phrases like “America First” and “Make America Great Again” long before Trump. Topher shares how director Spike Lee helped him play the king of all racists, what it was like to screen the film to a 10 minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, and how he hopes releasing the movie on the one year anniversary of the violent protests in Charlottesville may help to spur a dialogue about race and hate in America. Plus Topher gets a Twitter shout out from the not so "grand wizard" himself.

Spike Lee’s Blackkklansman is now showing in theaters. Check your local listings for show times or visit www.focusfeatures.com/blackkklansman. Follow Topher on twitter at @TopherGrace. Today's podcast is sponsored by Purple Mattress and the Move the Sticks Podcast.

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Jenna Elfman Talks Zombie Preparedness and Dharma & Greg in the Trump Era

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Jenna Elfman talks about joining the cast of AMC's Fear the Walking Dead, shares her strategy for surviving a zombie apocalypse, and reveals how working on the show got her thinking about her own family's emergency preparedness. She discusses her first experience with a "walker" on set, how doing her own stunts has made her a bit of a badass in the eyes of her two young sons, and what it was like to interact with The Walking Dead’s diehard fans at Comicon. Plus Jenna talks about how she and her husband learned that the couple that podcasts together stays together and whether it's time to bring back her other hit TV series Dharma and Greg for the Trump-era.

Season 4 of Fear the Walking Dead returns this Sunday, August, 12 at 9/8C on AMC. Visit www.amc.com for more information. Check out Jenna and her husband's podcast Kicking and Screaming on iTunes or Stitcher, and follow Jenna on twitter at @JennaElfman. Today's podcast is sponsored by Monster Espresso and GooglePlay.

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977 Days Captive By Somali Pirates

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Journalist Michael Scott Moore went to Somalia to write an article about Somali pirates only be kidnapped and held hostage for 977 days as his mother tried to come up with his ransom. He discusses his captivity, his one daring escape attempt, and how he didn’t even believe it when he was finally released. He discusses how pirates use the media to drive up their ransom demands, their shocking naiveté about America, and how the man known as the Somali pirate kingpin didn't even know about US policy against paying for hostages. He shares how one of his guards rationalized being a muslim and a pirate, why the supposed ideological motives for Somali piracy are b.s., and the strange fate that befell his pirate captors after he left.

Order Michael Scott Moore's book The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast on Amazon or Audible. Visit his website at www.radiofreemike.net and follow him on twitter at @MichaelSctMoore. Today's podcast is sponsored by Monster Espresso and GooglePlay.

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"Elder Millennial" Iliza Shlesinger Gives Wedding Advice

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Newlywed comedian and "elder millennial" Iliza Shlesinger returns to talk about her new comedy special and give me a little advice for my own upcoming nuptials. She defends a bride’s right to be a "princess" on her special day, explains why it’s never as simple as just "saying yes to the dress," and makes the case for doing away with the traditional bouquet toss. Iliza also reveals how her walk down the aisle wasn’t exactly what she planned (and neither was the groom’s reaction!) and why she suddenly had to cut her European honeymoon short. She talks about how this milestone has influenced her act, how she got to shoot her latest comedy special on an aircraft carrier, and weighs in on everything from online dating and who makes the first move to shamanic journeys and the most terrifying sound of all...peacocks!

Watch Iliza Shlesinger's new comedy special ILIZA SHLESINGER: ELDER MILLENNIAL on Netflix. Follow her on Twitter at @Iliza and visit www.iliza.com for more fun stuff. Some of her upcoming tour dates include Honolulu, HI (8/4), Calgary, CA (8/12), Edmonton, CA (8/18), and Portland, OR (8/24 & 8/25). Today's podcast is sponsored by Purple Mattress and GooglePlay.

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Bo Burnham Returns to Middle School

Mon, 30 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Comedian Bo Burnham discusses making his directorial debut with his critically acclaimed film EIGHTH GRADE which explores the humor and horrors of modern adolescence. He talks about why he went to great lengths to avoid nostalgia in his portrayal of life in middle school and how casting a real 13 year old girl kept him honest. He shares how he drew inspiration from watching hours of web videos by middle schoolers, how much the internet has changed since he made his own Youtube debut in 2006, and why he doesn’t judge millennials for their addiction to social media. He reveals why he only allowed his lead actress to read the script once before shooting and how the comedian known for very BIG humor learned to appreciate the small moments. Plus a few words of wisdom for kids going through those awkward years!

EIGHTH GRADE is now playing in theatres nationwide. For more information and showtimes, visit www.eighthgrade.movie. Also check out www.boburnham.com and follow him on twitter at @BoBurnham. Today's podcast is sponsored by Dollar Shave Club and GooglePlay.

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Alan Dershowitz on Impeachment and the Criminalization of Politics

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Famed attorney and lifelong Democrat Alan Dershowitz says even though he make not like Donald Trump's policies, the President is entitled to the same rights as any other American and impeachment is a clearly defined Constitutional procedure not political theatre. He explains exactly what is and is NOT an impeachable offense, why even a criminal act may not necessarily lead to impeachment, and how this applies to Presidents from Andrew Johnson and Richard Nixon to Bill Clinton and Donald Trump. According to Dershowitz, President Trump has every right to fire the FBI director, shut down investigations, and pardon anyone he wants...perhaps even including himself. He warns against a dangerous trend of criminalizing politics on both sides, argues that the Mueller investigation runs the risk of abusing attorney client privilege, and asks where has the ACLU been throughout it all? Plus he rates Rudy Giuliani’s performance as Trump’s attorney, weighs in on the President’s Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, and advises that Trump should absolutely NOT agree to an interview

with the Mueller investigation.

Order Alan Dershowitz's book THE CASE AGAINST IMPEACHING TRUMP on Amazon or Audible and follow him on twitter at @AlanDershowitz. Today's podcast is sponsored by GooglePlay.

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Jim Gaffigan Talks Tumor Humor and Opening for the Pope

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 20:01:29 -0000

Comedian Jim Gaffigan opens up about his wife/writing partner Jeannie’s brain tumor scare and how she was the first person to suggest using it in his new comedy special JIM GAFFIGAN: NOBLE APE. Jim reveals how trial and error led him back to his own authentic voice as a comedian, how he gets inside the head of the audience and plays his own worst critic on stage, and why he’s making fewer and fewer food jokes. He discusses why he’s breaking free of the Netflix model for his latest comedy special and why he’s taken a number of dramatic film roles in no less than 13 films over the next year. Plus Jim Gaffigan riffs on the mixed blessing of hot pockets, the worst part about getting a colonoscopy, and the hardest comedy gig in the world...opening for the Pope.

Comedy Dynamics presents Jim Gaffigan's newest comedy special JIM GAFFIGAN: NOBLE APE in theaters, OnDemand, iTunes, Amazon, and all of your favorite digital platforms. There's eve an album available. Follow Jim on Twitter at @jimgaffigan and visit Jim's website for tour dates and other fun stuff at www.jimgaffigan.com.

Jim's upcoming live shows include Kettering, OH (7/27), Clarkson, MI (7/28), Atlantic City (8/4), Bethlehem, PA (8/5) Santa Rosa, CA (8/9), Fresno, CA (8/12), Casper, WY (8/13) the Iowa State Fair (8/14), ACharleston, SC (8.17).

Today's podcast is sponsored by GooglePlay, Dollar Shave Club, Purple Mattress, and Morning Brew.

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Malcolm Nance Says Trump Is a "Willing Asset" for Putin

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0000

In the wake of the bizarre Trump-Putin Summit, intelligence expert Malcolm Nance says Trump has gone from being an unwitting asset of Russia to a willing asset deliberately undermining NATO, the European Union, and even his own country. Nance says Donald Trump has betrayed his oath to uphold the Constitution and is the closest thing America's seen to another Benedict Arnold. He reveals Russia’s broader efforts to undermine US and the influential Americans enabling Russian interference including the most powerful gun-rights organization in the country, the politician known Putin’s man in Congress, and the alt-right media baron he calls “the American Goebbles.” What’s Vladimir Putin’s end-game? Malcolm Nance says Putin's ultimate goal is to dismantle western democracy itself!

Order Malcolm Nance's new book The Plot to Destroy Democracy: How Putin and His Spies Are Undermining America and Dismantling the West on Amazon or Audible. Follow him on Twitter at @Malcolm Nance. Today's podcast is sponsored by GooglePlay.

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Ben Rhodes on Hope, Change, and Pragmatism in World Affairs

Mon, 16 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Former Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes talks about how he survived a full 8 years in the White House, his close friendship with President Barack Obama, and what it was like to travel the world representing America. Ben says the Arab Spring taught him that sometimes hope and change have to take a back seat to pragmatism and the big picture. He reveals how he secretly worked with the Pope to reopen relations with Cuba, how sleeplessness led to some frayed nerves during the Iran nuclear negotiations, and how wild conspiracy theories around Benghazi continue to follow him even today. He throws some cold water on Trump’s accusation that President Obama ordered the FBI to investigate him, discusses how he and Obama emotionally processed Trump’s 2016 victory, and talks about the somber mood on President Obama's final foreign trip as he tried to console/encourage other world leaders like Angela Merkel. Plus the we talk about the Syrian red line, Hillary Clinton’s private server, sanctions against Russia, and Trump’s North Korean photo-op.

Order Ben's book The World as It Is: A Memoir of the Obama White House on Amazon or Audible and follow him on twitter at @BRhodes. Today's podcast is sponsored by GooglePlay and Morning Brew.

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Rob Reiner Brings the "Shock and Awe"

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Rob Reiner returns to talk about the long road to making his latest film Shock and Awe about the journalists who "got it right" about WMD in Iraq and why he says Americans still may not be ready to deal with the mistakes of the Iraq War. How discusses the lesser known news syndicate that uncovered the truth about WMD and why the mainstream media at the time ignored all the warning signs. He talks about his love for classic newsroom films like All the President's Men and his urgency to make a film about great journalism at a time when the free press and the truth are under greater assault than ever. Rob Reiner gives an update on his group the Committee to Investigate Russia, he cautions that the rhetoric on the Left treads a thin line between energizing their base and energizing the other side, and we ponder how Archie Bunker went from a punchline to a political movement.

Rob Reiner's movie Shock and Awe opens in theaters Friday, July 13. Follow Rob Reiner on Twitter at @RobReiner and learn more about The Committee to Investigate Russia at www.investigaterussia.org. Today's podcast is sponsored by Adiamor Jewelry, GooglePlay and Morning Brew.

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David Sedaris on the Lighter Side of Death, Aging, and Travel

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Bestselling humorist David Sedaris talks about why he doesn’t do social media, how a fitbit has come to rule his life, and his irritation with the British habit of bullying Americans into drinking. David shares how watching his father grow old has him thinking about his own mortality and how he keeps politics from coming between him and his Trump-supporting dad. David Sedaris says his heavy travel schedule has liberated him from the watching the news and he couldn't be happier about it. Plus he shares a few of his favorite travel tips and regional insults from around the globe.

Order David Sedaris's book Calypso on Amazon or Audible. For more, visit www.davidsedarisbooks.com. Today's podcast is sponsored by GooglePlay and Morning Brew.

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Astrophysicist Adam Frank on Alien Worlds and Saving Our Own

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Astrophysicist Adam Frank offers an explanation for why we have yet to made contact with extraterrestrials and says it is highly likely that many of ten billion trillion planets in the universe have hosted technologically advanced alien civilizations. He discusses three possible fates that may have befallen those civilizations and how studying other planets could help us save our own. He says that climate science actually holds consistent truths across all planets that have atmospheres and if we can predict climate change on Mars, we are certainly able to predict climate change here on earth. Plus Adam talks about the significance of the recent discovery of methane gas on Mars, his experience as a science consultant on Marvel’s Dr Strange, and why he doesn’t like the term "alien."

Order Adam Frank's book Light of the Stars: Alien Worlds and the Fate of the Earth on Amazon or Audible. Keep up with Adam at www.adamfrankscience.com or on Twitter at @AdamFrank4. Today's podcast is sponsored by Outside the Box podcast.

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Mike Reiss Celebrates The Simpsons' 30th!

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 08:00:00 -0000

The Simpsons's longest-serving writer/producer Mike Reiss celebrates the 30th anniversary of the longest running show in TV history and shares stories, scandals, and gossip about working with America’s most iconic cartoon family. He talks about his early days writing for the Harvard Lampoon and why Lampoon alums make up half the writers rooms in Hollywood. He recalls working on The Tonight Show, how his only meeting with Johnny Carson was just like being a guest on his show, and a Carnac joke taught him that there’s just no science to comedy. He discusses coming on board the first episode of The Simpsons, why Fox had little faith in the first primetime cartoon since The Flintstones, and why The Simpsons became a cultural phenomenon right out of the gate. He reveals that Simpsons characters are just bad impersonations of old movie stars, how the writers add special guest roles into the script just to meet their childhood heroes, and Mike shares a few of favorite celebrity guests and some of the ones that got away. He talks about the fans' love/hate relationship with the show, some of the crazier conspiracy theories swirling around The Simpsons, and the show's complicated relationship with Seth McFarlane's Family Guy. Plus Mike Reiss tells me which countries have actually banned and even sued The Simpsons and how his own popular children's book got boycotted by the Texas Board of Education.

Order Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for The Simpsons on Amazon or Audible. Watch The Simpsons every Sunday night on Fox and follow Mike Reiss on Twitter at @MikeReissWriter. Today's podcast is sponsored by Michelin Premiere Tires and Dollar Shave Club.

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James Clapper on Trump, Russia, & a Life in Intelligence

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper recalls how tinkering with a TV set as a boy led to a career in signals intelligence, his frustration when working as an intelligence briefer to General William Westmoreland during the Vietnam War, and what it was like to be in the room when President Obama ordered the raid on Osama Bin Laden. He discusses Russia's interference in the 2016 election, the now infamous intelligence meeting with President-elect Trump at Trump Tower, and why he believes that Russia’s efforts successfully tipped the election for Donald Trump. Plus he weighs in on the North Korean Summit, his war or words with President Trump, and much more.

Order James Clapper's book Facts and Fears: Hard Truths from a Life in Intelligence on Amazon or Audible. Today's podcast is sponsored by The Jim Jefferies Show podcast and Dollar Shave Club.

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Dave Itzkoff on Robin Williams' Comedy and Tragedy

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0000

New York Times culture reporter Dave Itzkoff talks about the surprisingly patrician upbringing of Robin Williams, his time studying to be a serious actor at Julliard, and Robin's early influences as a comedian. Dave reveals how Star Wars helped Williams land the role of Mork the Ork, and why his shenangigans on Mork and Mindy might have landed him in hot water in the age of #MeToo. He discusses Robin’s gradual evolution as a movie star, and why Hollywood didn’t really know what to do with him at first. Dave shares how John Belushi’s overdose scared Robin Williams straight, what eventually caused him to fall back into addiction some 20 years later, and how a rare disease led to his tragic suicide. Plus Dave Itzkoff recalls his own favorite personal encounters with the comedian, and why Robin always wanted to give total strangers what he called “an authentic Robin Williams experience.”

Order Dave Itzkoff's book Robin on Amazon or Audible. Read more by Dave Itzkoff in the New York Times and follow Dave on Twitter at @ditzkoff. Today's podcast is sponsored by The Daily Show w/ Trevor Noah: Ears Edition, LegalShield, and Dollar Shave Club.

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Eugene Jarecki Goes Road Tripping with Elvis

Thu, 21 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Eugene Jarecki drove across the U.S. in Elvis Presley's 1963 Rolls Royce to talk to people about Elvis as a metaphor for the American dream in his new documentary The King. He traces Elvis’s journey from his birth in a Mississippi town that's barely kept alive by Elvis tourism to the musical melting pot of Memphis, and ultimately to Las Vegas and the "sweaty sequined jumpsuit Elvis" who became more of a corporate brand than a man. He reveals how he acuired Elvis’s Rolls Royce, and how it became a beacon for people on both sides of the political divide to have a conversation about the promise of America, the sins of the past, and where our country is headed today. Plus Eugene Jarecki talks about the perils of driving and directing and roadtripping in a 55 year old car.

The King opens in theaters in NYC on 6/22 and in LA on 6/29. For information and showtimes, visit www.theking.film. Today’s podcast was sponsored by Outside the Box podcast, LegalShield, Michelin Premiere Tires, and LightStream.

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An American Ambassador in Putin's Russia

Mon, 18 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Ambassador Michael McFaul helped President Obama craft the US-Russia “reset," and he later had a front-row seat for the end of the reset with the return of the hostile, paranoid Russian President Vladimir Putin. He recalls witnessing history unfold during the attempted Russian military coup in 1989 and early encounter with a young unimpressive Vladimir Putin in the 90s. He gives an insiders account of being with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when she presented the infamous "reset" button, the first meeting between Putin and the newly elected President Obama, and his own thoughts on what motivates the Russian President. He talks about arriving to protestors in Moscow on his first day as Ambassador, the Russian FSB’s sinister surveillance and harassment campaigns against him and his family, and the extensive efforts to gain Kompromat on US officials as well as certain wealthy American businessmen.

Order From Cold War to Hot Peace: An American Ambassador in Putin’s Russia on Amazon or Audible. Follow Michael McFaul twitter at @mcfaul or at www.michaelmcfaul.com. Today’s podcast was sponsored by Michelin Premiere Tires, Just for Men Control GX, and Travel Guard Travel Insurance.

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Billy Bob Thornton & Mark Duplass on Indie Film, Amazon's Goliath, and TV's Renaissance

Thu, 14 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Billy Bob Thornton and Mark Duplass talk about Season 2 of Goliath. Billy reveals why he’s so attracted to outsider roles, what he found particularly appealing about playing an attorney, and how the show’s creators David E. Kelley and Jonathan Shapiro (both former attorneys) helped him prepare for the courtroom. He talks about some of his own favorite movie lawyers, the death of independent film, and how television has come a long way since his early days on the 90’s sitcom Evening Shade. Mark Duplass talks about his excitement to play a bad guy on Goliath, what it's like to be one half of the acclaimed filmmaking duo the Duplass Brothers, why it took a while for them to learn to “individuate,” and what it's like to work as an actor on another director's set.

Season 2 of Goliath is available on Amazon beginning Friday, June 15. For more information, visit http://a.co/i02m9ob and follow Mark Duplass on twitter at @MarkDuplass. Today’s podcast was sponsored by Legal Shield.

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Bonus Episode - Akimbo

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0000

I love sharing new podcasts, and in this special bonus episode, I want to introduce you to my friend Seth Godin and a great new podcast called Akimbo. The first episode is about the hype around grand openings, whether it’s a summer blockbuster or a new startup, and in the second episode of Akimbo, Seth Godin delves into status roles in society, how we measure up alongside others, and what we’re willing to do to achieve a higher status role. Subscribe to Akimbo in Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen, or go to www.akimbo.me. You can also follow Seth Godin on twitter at @ThisIsSethsBlog or at www.sethgodin.com.

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Bob Balaban Puts the "Character" in Character Actor

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Bob Balaban has been a delightful part of many of the best movies and TV shows of the past 50 years including Moonrise Kingdom, A Mighty Wind, Gosford Park, Capote, and Seinfeld. This Oscar and Emmy-nominated actor, director, and producer shares how a character actor can have a much longer career than a movie star, why he sometimes enjoys auditioning for a role more than actually getting it, and why he likes to study the famous directors with whom he works from Stephen Spielberg to Wes Anderson. He recalls his family’s early roots in the golden age of Hollywood, his first break playing Linus in the original production of Your A Good Man Charlie Brown, and how he ended up playing Francois Truffaut’s translator (both on and off screen) in Close Encounters. Bob Balaban discusses reuniting with his old friend William Hurt for the miniseries Condor, getting to play his first role as a "bad guy" in ages, and what this remake of Three Days of the Condor says about America’s growing paranoia the so-called “deep state.” Plus we talk about Bob’s career as "six degrees of Warren Littlefield," why strangers still come up to him pitching ideas for television, and how to shoot a film about the richest woman in the world on a shoestring budget.

Condor airs Wednesdays at 10PM ET/PT on ATT Audience Network and Direct TV. Visit http://start.att.net/exclusive/audience/condor to learn more. Follow Bob on Twitter at @BobBalaban. Today’s podcast was sponsored by Legal Shield, Grasshopper, and Travel Guard.

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Todd Purdum on Rodgers & Hammerstein's Musical Magic

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Todd Purdum, a contributing editor at Vanity Fair and a senior writer at Politico, discusses his own life-long love of the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and why their Broadway shows like South Pacific are so timeless. He reveals how Oklahoma! revolutionized the Broadway musical and how their shows perfectly tapped into the mood of post-war America. He talks about how Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein bravely addressed social injustices in their work, and how Hammerstein's politics landed him in hot water at the height of McCarthyism. He discusses their troubled relationship with Hollywood and why the film version of The Sound of Music has been something of a mixed blessing for the R & H legacy. Plus Todd Purdum talks about how the troubling themes of spousal abuse and suicide in Carousel play with modern audiences in a new Broadway revival, what Donald Trump could learn from The King and I, and the Dominican nun who served as Rodgers and Hammerstein’s behind-the-scenes collaborator.

Order Todd Purdum's fantastic book Something Wonderful: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway Revolution on Amazon or Audible, and look for his regular political articles in Vanity Fair. Today’s podcast was sponsored by Outside the Box podcast, Michelin Premiere Tires, and Legal Shield.

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Max Brooks on Star Wars, Real Wars and Ewok Insurgency

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 21:11:20 -0000

Author Max Brooks is well known for his bestselling zombie books like World War Z and The Zombie Survival Guide, and he applies the same creative thinking to military strategy as a fellow at the Modern War Institute and The Art of Future Warfare Project. He reveals how he gets military leaders to think outside the box about complex problems, some of the threats for which he fears the US is least prepared, and why American ingenuity and self-reliance will be crucial to surviving modern disasters like an attack on the power grid. He discusses how his mother the late Anne Bancroft helped him cope with dyslexia, how Alan Alda taught him to write, and why his dad Mel Brooks is still a bundle of energy (and laughs) at age 91. Max weighs in on everything from President Trump's North Korea policy to the Russian cyber-attacks, plus he shares what the military can learn from the Star Wars movies, how to survive a zombie apocalypse, and why an Ewok insurgency is not so cute.

Order Strategy Strikes Back: How Star Wars Explains Modern Military Conflict (co-edited by Max Brooks) on Amazon. Learn more about Max at www.maxbrooks.com and follow him on twitter at @maxbrooksauthor. Today’s podcast was sponsored by US Markerboard, Michelin Premiere Tires, Simple Contacts, Grasshopper, and Legal Shield.

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CNN's Jake Tapper on Political Fiction, the Swamp, and Secret Societies

Thu, 31 May 2018 19:29:18 -0000

CNN'S Jake Tapper discusses his foray into writing fiction with his new political thriller The Hellfire Club, his interest in the politics of the 1950s, and the real-life Washington powerbrokers who make up the supporting cast of his story. He shares how his years of observing how eager young Congressmen slowly sell their souls inspired the central character of The Hellfire Club, and he illuminates some disturbing parallels between Donald Trump and Joseph McCarthy, the infamous red-baiting Senator who plays a key role in his novel. He reveals the real secret society on which his story is based, and warns of the danger when the line between truth and conspiracy theories becomes blurred. Plus Jake Tapper talks about his brief time in film school, Trump’s weirdly aggressive handshake, and why the U.S. Senate once investigated comic books.

Order Jake Tapper's his book The Hellfire Club on Amazon or Audible. Watch him weeknights on CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper and Sunday mornings on CNN’s State of the Union. Follow Jake on twitter at @jaketapper. Today’s podcast was sponsored by Outside the Box podcast, Legal Shield, and Adiamor Jewelry.

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Sebastian Junger Talks War, Tribalism and Honoring Our Vets

Mon, 28 May 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Journalist/documentary filmmaker Sebastian Junger (Restrepo, The Perfect Storm) talks about the new PBS Memorial Day special Going to War and his experience as an embedded reporter covering the War in Afghanistan. He recalls his first close call with an I.E.D. in the Korengal Valley, the fear and exhilaration of first arriving in the combat zone, and how war taps into something primal in all of us. He discusses his own struggle with PTSD, how sharing war stories helps our soldiers reintegrate to civilian life, and why so many men and women in uniform feel uncomfortable when someone says “thank you for your service.”

Going to War airs Memorial Day, May 28, at 9PM ET/PT on PBS. Visit https://www.pbs.org/show/going-to-war/ to learn more. Keep up with Sebastian Junger at www.sebastianjunger.com and follow him on twitter at @sebastianjunger. Today’s podcast was sponsored by The Brave podcast, Dollar Shave Club, PolicyGenius, and Lightstream.

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Al Roker on the Johnstown Flood, America's Gilded Age Disaster

Fri, 25 May 2018 13:25:46 -0000

The Today Show's Al Roker talks about his book Ruthless Tide: The Heroes and Villains of the Johnstown Flood, America’s Astonishing Gilded Age Disaster. He discusses the elite country club that compromised the structural integrity of the South Fork Dam causing the flood, he reveals some of the famous industrialists who belonged to that club, and how they escaped justice for the Johnstown flood in a notorious trial that ultimately led to important changes in US liability laws. Plus Al Roker relates the lessons of the 1889 flood to global climate change and America’s modern day infrastructure needs, and on a lighter note, the self-described BBQ aficionado offers a few summer bbq tips for the grillmaster in your family.

Order Al Roker's book Ruthless Tide: The Heroes and Villains of the Johnstown Flood, America’s Astonishing Gilded Age Disaster on Amazon or Audible. See Al weekday mornings on NBC's The Today Show, visit him at www.alroker.com, and follow him on twitter at @alroker. Today's episode was sponsored by Citizen Watches, Outside the Box podcast, Grasshopper, and Adiamor Jewelry.

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Ethan Hawke's Spiritual Approach to Acting, Life, and Social Change

Mon, 21 May 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Ethan Hawke joins me on the podcast for wide ranging conversation covering art, politics, spirirtuality, the environment, and more. He describes working with Robin Williams on Dead Poets Society, why he finds the most creative fullfillment in music not acting, and what he calls the "spiritual marriage" between an actor and director. He opens up about how his admiration for the work of Thomas Murton, and his thoughts on the social responsibility of religious leaders, and his own spiritual journey influenced his performance as a parish pastor in his latest film First Reformed. Plus Ethan talks about what he calls the velocity of depression, why he’s not afraid to take long breaks from the silver screen, his work with the YMCA to help kids overcome divisiveness, and his upcoming project about our favorite “mad scientist” Nicola Tesla.

See Ethan Hawke in Paul Schrader's brilliant film First Reformed now playing in theaters. Today's episode was sponsored by Adiamor Jewelry.

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Ehud Barak on Fighting for Israel & Searching for Peace

Thu, 17 May 2018 23:05:14 -0000

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak discusses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, his role in the 2000 Camp David Summit, and his tortured dealings with Yasser Arafat. He recalls his early years growing up on a kibbutz, how his intelligence and navigating skills lead the physically unimposing young man to become commander of Israel's special forces unit Sayeret Matkal, and the time he lead a daring mission to rescue hostages on a hijacked Sabena Flight in 1972. He talks about current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who served under his command and later became his political rival, he discusses his own transition from military officer to politician, and reveals what he says was the biggest mistake of his political career. Plus, Ehud Barak shares how his thinking has evolved on the Iran nuclear agreement.

Order Ehud Barak's book new memoir My Country, My Life: Fighting for Israel, Searching for Peace on Amazon or Audible. Today's podcast is sponsored by Citizen Watches and Grasshopper.

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Former CIA Director Michael Hayden on Trump's Attack on the Intelligence Community

Mon, 14 May 2018 08:00:00 -0000

General Michael Hayden, former Director of the CIA, talks about his concerns over President Trump's attack on the Intelligence Community and objective facts. He refutes the President’s paranoid narrative of a so called "deep state" operating in the shadows, explains the lasting impact of a damaged relationship between the Intelligence Community and the Commander-in-Chief, and reveals what friends inside the IC are saying about that relationship including how they have to tailor the Daily Intelligence Brief to a President with zero attention span and constantly wonder “do you think he got that?” General Hayden talks about the lasting impact of the IC’s decision to focus their efforts on cyber instead of information dominance and reveals how one analyst saw the early warning signs 2 years before the Russian attack of the 2016 election. He weighs in on the President’s nominee for CIA director Gina Haspel, the decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal, and why he believes Kim Jung Un is unlikely to give up his nukes. Plus General Hayden discusses the advice he gives to those considering a job in the Administration, how the President’s Twitter addiction aids our enemies, and the Russian’s FSB’s nickname for men like Donald Trump..."the useful idiot."

Order Michael Hayden's book The Assault on Intelligence: American National Security in an Age of Lies on Amazon or Audible. and follow him on twitter at @GenMHayden. Today's podcast is sponsored by Citizen Watches, US Marker Board, and Grasshopper.

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CNN's Sally Kohn on Hate, Humanity, and Twitter Trolls

Thu, 10 May 2018 21:20:03 -0000

CNN political analyst Sally Kohn talks about her investigation into the epidemic of hate all around us and how we can stop it. She discusses what scientists and researchers have learned about the evolutionary and cultural roots of hate, and how incivility can be a gateway to much worse. She shares some surprising lessons and dramatic stories from her travels to Rwanda, the Middle East, and across the United States engaging with former terrorists, white supremacists, and even her own Twitter trolls. Plus Sally Kohn opens up about confronting some of her own less than perfect moments such as when she bullied a classmate in school or times when the ugliness of the politics has gotten the best of her.

Order her book The Opposite of Hate: A Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity on Amazon or Audible. Subscribe to her podcast The State of Resistance on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. For more information, visit www.sallykohn.com and follow her on twitter at @sallykohn. Today's podcast is sponsored by Everquote, US Marker Board, and Zyppah.

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Jon Meacham on the Soul of America and Donald Trump

Mon, 07 May 2018 18:12:44 -0000

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham helps us understand the present moment of crisis in American politics by looking back at critical times in our history when hope overcame hatred and reveals how his latest book The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels was born in the dark days following the infamous Charlottesville rally. He talks about similarities between the current age and the 1920’s, how America during Great Depression could have easily followed the path of Germany into totalitarianism, and what Donald Trump could learn from the fate of red-baiting Senator Joseph McCarthy. He discusses moments when Presidents have served as moral leaders for the nation including the day George H.W. Bush handed in his NRA card and an oft forgotten speech by Dwight Eisenhower that is all too relevant today. Plus George H.W. Bush's biographer shares some candid memories of the late former First Lady Barbara Bush.

Order Jon Meacham's book The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels on Amazon or Audible. Keep up with him at www.jonmeacham.com and follow him on Twitter at @jmeacham. Today's episode was sponsored by Citizen Watches, Grasshopper, Quip, and U.S. Markerboard.

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The Dark Heart of White Nationalism w/ Journalist Vegas Tenold

Thu, 03 May 2018 08:00:00 -0000

For six years, journalist Vegas Tenold embedded himself among the members of three of America's most ideologically extreme white nationalist groups including the KKK, neonazis, and the Traditionalist Workers Party. He reveals how this self-described Norwegian socialist managed to gain access to some of the worst hate groups in America, and why he says the most dangerous groups aren’t the KKK or neonazis, but a new class of well organized activists seeking to take their hateful ideology mainstream. He recalls covering the notorious Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville and explains why law enforcement was partly to blame for the violence. He talks about some of the dog whistles that politicians use to signal fidelity with white nationalists, his experience watching the 2016 election returns with the head of the Traditionalist Workers Party, and why he says these groups are ultimately doomed to fail. Plus the dangers of being a bald white Norwegian at a skinhead rally.

Order Everything You Love Will Burn: Inside the Rebirth of White Nationalism in America on Amazon or Audible and follow Vegas Tenold on twitter at @vegastenold. Today's episode was sponsored by Everquote, Grasshopper, and Zyppah.

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Cinco de Funny w/ Comedian Paul Rodriguez

Mon, 30 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Comedian Paul Rodriguez tells stories from his 40 year career in showbusiness, including his first time on The Tonight Show, why Johnny Carson banned him from the NBC studios, and the "higher power" who intervened on his behalf. He talks about getting his start as a valet at the Comedy Store and how that led to his being a runner for Richard Pryor, he shares some advice Comedy Store owner Mitzi Shore gave him when he started out, and recalls some wild times from his days living in a comedians dormatory above the Comedy Store. Plus Paul Rodriguez shares his worst gig ever.

Paul Rodriguez's new standup special The Here & Wow is available May 1 via Comedy Dynamics Network. The album of The Here and Wow comes out May 4. For Paul’s upcoming shows, visit his website at www.paulrodriguez.com and follow him at @ThePaulRod. Today's episode was sponsored by Intercom, Citizen Watches, Dollar Shave Club, and Policy Genius.

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Michael Isikoff & David Corn on Trump's Russian Roulette

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Journalists Michael Isikoff and David Corn discuss Russia’s long simmering plan to undermine American democracy, and how the U.S. Intelligence Community failed to see the warning signs in 2016. They delve into a rogue’s gallery of Russia enablers from Paul Manafort to Carter Paige and analyze why the Trump campaign and Russian cyberattackers seemed to be so suspiciously in sync. They talk about President Donald Trump’s strange infatuation with Vladimir Putin, why President Obama didn’t do more to stop Russian interference before it was too late, and what was Donald Trump up to in that infamous Moscow hotel room in 2013.

Order Michael Isikoff and David Corn's book Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin's War on America and the Election of Donald Trump on Amazon or Audible. You can read more by Michael Isikoff on Yahoo News or on twitter at @Isikoff and subscribe to his podcast Skullduggery wherever you listen to podcasts. You can read David Corn’s articles at www.mortherjones.com and frequently hear his expert political analysis on MSNBC. Follow David on Twitter at @DavidCornDC. Today's episode was sponsored by Grasshopper, Untuckit, and Intercom.

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Bryan Cranston on Life Before Acting & Becoming Walter White

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Rerun of 9/5/17 episode w/ guest Bryan Cranston. Actor Bryan Cranston recalls a difficult childhood and the two year road trip that changed his life. He shares some of his adventures before acting including traveling as a carny, catching shoplifters as security guard, and the time he ended up a suspect in a murder investigation. He talks about getting a crash course in comedy from Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, landing the role of a lifetime on Breaking Bad, and how he built one of the most iconic characters in the history of television. Bryan Cranston also gives some advice for aspiring actors, reveals how his life has changed since "Walter White," and why he loves making small talk with old people.

Order Bryan Cranston's bestselling memoir A Life in Parts on Amazon or download the audiobook at www.audible.com. Bryan Cranston stars in Last Flag Flying which opens in theatres November 3. Follow Bryan on Twitter at @BryanCranston.

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Steven Pinker Makes the Case for Science, Reason, Humanism, and Progress

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 07:17:45 -0000

Professor Steven Pinker (Bill Gates' favorite author) discusses the irony that the news media has become measurably more negative at same time as our quality life has dramatically improved. He outlines how the top 15 objective metrics of human progress indicate that life is getting better not worse, and he says fear of things like globalism and income inequality is greatly exaggerated and largely unfounded. He calls for the left and the right to stop politicizing science, the embrace of humanism over tribalism, and more critical thinking and less political correctness in our universities.

Order Steven Pinker's book Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress on Amazon or Audible. Keep up with Steven Pinker at www.stevenpinker.com or on twitter at @sapinker. Today's episode was sponsored by Grasshopper, Untuckit, and Adiamor Jewelry.

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Louie Anderson Says Be Nicer to Your Mom

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Comedian Louie Anderson returns to talk about mining the more poignant moments of his childhood for comedy and some of the comedic expressions he borrowed from his own parents. He discusses how his mother Ora Zella Anderson inspired his Emmy-winning role on Baskets, he reveals the questions he’d most like to ask his mother if she were still alive, and opens up about learning to forgive his abusive father and also himself. Plus Louie Anderson on finally learning to eat healthy after 65 years, what he says to fans who fear a skinny Louie won’t be funny anymore, and his curious connection to silent movie star Fatty Arbuckle.

Order Louie Anderson's new book HEY MOM: STORIES FOR MY MOTHER, BUT YOU CAN READ THEM TOO on Amazon or Audible.com. Watch his new standup special BIG UNDERWEAR on Amazon, Comcast, DIRECTV, AT&T, DISH, iTunes, Charter, Google Play and many other platforms. Visit www.louieanderson.com for his upcoming standup dates and follow him on Twitter at @LouieAnderson. Today's episode was sponsored by Policy Genius, Grasshopper, and Adiamor.

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Jennifer Palmieri Empowers Women w/ Lessons from the Clinton Campaign

Thu, 12 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Jennifer Palmieri, communications director of the 2016 Hillary Clinton campaign, says she wants to turn the results of the 2016 election into something empowering for future female leaders and advises the next woman who runs for President to write her own playbook not emulate her male predecessors. She shares her insider’s perspective on the Clinton campaign, gives some insight into the candidate who she says was reluctant to run for President in 2016 and was all too aware of the slings and arrows that would come her way. She also shares some wisdom from another famous female mentor of hers the late Elizabeth Edwards, she re-examines the role of former FBI director James Comey in the 2016 election, and explains why Hillary Clinton’s email problem was about way more than just emails. Plus Jennifer Palmieri responds to all those armchair strategists who asked “where was THAT Hillary?” after her concession speech, she suggests that candidates for office should cry more and nod less, and she casts the Batman version of the 2016 election.

Order Dear Madam President: An Open Letter to the Women Who Will Run the World on Amazon or download the audio version at www.audible.com. Follow Jennifer Palmieri on twitter at @jmpalmieri. Today's episode was sponsored by Grasshopper and AppRiver.

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Director Barry Levinson on Paterno, Pacino, & Our "Wag the Dog" Reality

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Director Barry Levinson explores the Penn State sexual abuse scandal that ended Coach Joe Paterno’s career in his new film PATERNO on HBO. He explains why he wanted to present the straight facts of the case without actually taking sides, talks the about the student riots that broke out when Penn State fired Paterno, and reveals what the film has to say about Americans’ views on issues of loyalty, tribalism, and the truth. Barry Levinson also recalls his early days teaming up with another "coach" Craig T. Nelson to form a nightclub comedy duo, writing sketches for THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW, directing his first movie at the urging of his mentor Mel Brooks, and he shares behind-the-scenes stories from some of his classic films including DINER, TIN MEN, RAIN MAN, AVALON, and more. Plus Barry Levinson talks about why Hollywood doesn’t make films about human beings anymore, whether he’d like to make a sequel to WAG THE DOG for the age of "fake news," and how an infamous drug kingpin got him into his first acting class.

PATERNO is available now on HBO GO, HBO NOW and HBO ON DEMAND. Today's episode was sponsored by AppRiver, Adiamor Jewelry, and Grasshopper.

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Ed Helms on Re-examining Ted Kennedy and Embracing Your Inner-Fool

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 08:01:13 -0000

Actor Ed Helms (THE OFFICE, THE HANGOVER) talks about playing Ted Kennedy's best friend in CHAPPAQUIDDICK, why the Chappaquiddick incident is an often forgotten chapter in America’s modern political history, and how making the film led him to reassess his own ideas about "Camelot." He also reveals how the Kennedy damage control team used the moon landing to distract from the scandal, ponders Chappaquidick’s place in Ted Kennedy’s larger legacy, and wonders how the scandal might have played out differently in the age of 24 hour news and social media. Ed Helms talks about working with fellow comic Jim Gaffigan on the film, mining the Kennedy story for moments of dark comedy, and mastering the notoriously tricky Massachusetts accent. He also discusses his own politics, gleefully recalls exposing hypocrites and bad guys as a correspondent on The Daily Show, remembers his start in entertainment as a cocky sarcastic voiceover guy, and explains why he says it's good to be "a fool at life."

CHAPPAQUIDDICK opens in theatres tomorrow Friday April 6. Follow Ed Helms on Twitter at @edhelms, check out his website for bluegrass lovers at www.thebluegrasssituation.com and visit his own bluegrass band the Lonesome Trio at www.thelonesometrio.com. Today's episode was sponsored by AppRiver, Adiamor Jewelry, and Grasshopper.

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Andie MacDowell on Acting Over 40, Time's Up, & Her Film "Love After Love"

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Andie MacDowell discusses why there are so few good roles for actresses over 40 and why she thinks that’s about to change. She talks about getting thrown into the deep end on her very first movie GREYSTOKE, the hard work she had to do to get from that film to her break-out role in SEX LIES AND VIDEOTAPE, and what she learned about grief and healing on her latest movie LOVE AFTER LOVE. She discusses why she’s chosen to live outside of Los Angeles until recently, some of the advice she gives to her two daughters who are now acting, and her perspective on Hollywood's long road to Time's Up.

LOVE AFTER LOVE opens in theaters Friday, March 30. Follow Andie on twitter at @AndieMacDowell3. Today's podcast was sponsored by Squarespace, AppRiver Grasshopper, Google Cloud Platform.

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Tim Robbins Humanizes Immigration & Heals Prisoners w/ Theatre

Mon, 02 Apr 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Actor/director Tim Robbins discusses how his new HBO series HERE AND NOW is tapping into the anxiety of America in 2018 and why his classic political mockumentary BOB ROBERTS is more relevant now than ever. He says Harvey Weinstein reminds him of the shady operators he knew growing up in New York’s Greenwich Village, he recalls studying real studio execs for his role in Robert Altman’s THE PLAYER, and he remembers Altman's mentoring Tim's leap from actor to director. He discusses how he funded his first play while he was still a struggling actor, how his latest play THE NEW COLOSSUS is putting personal faces to the immigration issue, and why he’s using The Actors Gang to bring theatre into California prisons. Plus Tim opens up about turning 60, weighs in on the current struggle for the soul of the Democratic Party, and recounts the time he heckled Henry Kissinger outside of a famous celebrity restaurant.

THE NEW COLOSSUS is playing now through May 12 at The Actors Gang in Culver City, CA. Visit www.theactorsgang.com for tickets or to learn more. See Tim in Alan Ball’s excellent new series HERE AND NOW with a subscription to HBO, HBO GO, or HBO NOW. Keep up with Tim at www.timrobbins.net or on twitter at @TimRobbins1. Today's podcast was sponsored by Dollar Shave Club and Policy Genius.

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David Mamet on Jazz, Noir, and Whorehouse Piano Players

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 08:00:00 -0000

David Mamet discusses how the old gangster stories he heard as a child inspired him to write CHICAGO: A NOVEL. He talks about his love of classic noir and hot jazz, and dislike of social media, computers, and flowery prose. He shares why famous figures are better felt than heard in historical fiction, why he says Hollywood is dead, and why he never reads his own reviews. He teases his latest play about Harvey Weinstein, and reveals his longing to live as a reporter in the 1920’s and die as a whorehouse piano player with a whiskey and a cigarette.

Order David Mamet's new book CHICAGO: A NOVEL on Amazon. Today's podcast was sponsored by Google Cloud Platform podcast, AppRiver, Breach podcast, Quip, Google Cloud Spanner, and Hair Regrowth from Just for Men.

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Futurist Michio Kaku on Mars, Immortality, and Interstellar Travel

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Futurist Michio Kaku says sooner or later humanity will face the possibility of extinction, and it’s up to scientists to come up with a plan B whether it’s another planet or even another galaxy. He explains why it’s important for us to return to the moon, how we would go about terraforming Mars, and what he calls the new "gold rush" that could fund NASA indefinitely. He shares his theory on why we haven’t encountered alien life and where humans fit in on his hierarchy of civilizations. Michio Kaku describes the three ways the universe will almost certainly die, but says in the meantime immortality might be just around the corner. Plus he gives me a progress update on what he calls his life’s work proving Einstein’s Unified Theory of Everything.

Order Michio Kaku's book The Future of Humanity: Terraforming Mars, Interstellar Travel, Immortality, and Our Destiny Beyond Earth on Amazon. Keep up with him at www.mkaku.org and follow him on Twitter at @michiokaku. Today's podcast was sponsored by Grasshopper, Policy Genius, Google Cloud Platform, and Hulu's The Looming Tower.

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Bizarre Foods Host Andrew Zimmern

Mon, 19 Mar 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Andrew Zimmern host of Bizarre Foods on The Travel Channel talks about how he became the man who’ll eat anything and some of the weirdest foods he’s tried over the years. He reveals some of the strangest delicacies that turned out to be surprisingly good and whether he’s finally learned to love his old nemesis - the infamously stinky durian fruit. He’ll discuss his broader mission to spread tolerance and understanding because as he puts it, "social change often starts with our stomachs." He recalls how he went from living on the streets to globe trotting on The Travel Channel, he explains why his newest show The Zimmern List is his most personal one yet, and why he finally decided to share the one special restaurant that he swore he’d never reveal to the public. Plus, Andrew discusses why freshness matters when eating testicles, the best bird fetus he ever ate, and two words...snake wine.

The Zimmern List airs Tuesdays 9 p.m. ET/PT on The Travel Channel. To learn more, visit www.travelchannel.com. You can also check out lots of other cool stuff at www.AndrewZimmern.com and follow Andrew on twitter at @AndrewZimmern. This podcast was sponsored by Grasshopper, ZQ uiet, Google Cloud Platform Weekly Podcast, and VMWare Executive Perspective Podcast.

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Robert Malley Lists 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2018

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Robert Malley, president of the International Crisis Group, discusses ICG's annual list of the 10 Conflicts to Watch in 2018. He cautions against Donald Trump’s bluster about decertifying the Iran Nuclear Deal, warns that the stakes in North Korea are too high to be ignored, and speculates on what will happen in Syria once ISIS has been defeated militarily. He reveals why he thinks a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is unlikely and how his childhood practically destined him for a life in crisis resolution.

Visit www.crisisgroup.org to learn more about the International Crisis Group, and follow Robert Malley and ICG on twitter at @Rob_Malley and @CrisisGroup. This podcast was sponsored by Grasshopper, Squarespace, and Google Cloud Platform.

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Comedian Nikki Glaser Is Up and On the Radio

Mon, 12 Mar 2018 08:00:00 -0000

Comedian Nikki Glaser talks about the worst week of her life, why she’s steering clear of politics for a while, and why she decided to move to NYC rather than get up early. She reveals why she likes long distance relationships, why she prefers to follow really good comedians, and why she’s banned from Urban Outfitters. Plus, how Nikki sorta saved my relationship.

Her new radio show YOU UP WITH NIKKI GLASER airs Monday through Thursday from 10:00 A.M to Noon ET and 7-9A.M. PT to 9:00 A.M. PT on SiriusXM’s Comedy Central Radio Channel 95. Keep up with Nikki at www.NikkiGlaser.com and follow her on twitter at @NikkiGlaser. This podcast was sponsored by AppRiver, Linked In Jobs, Just for Men Hair Regrowth and Google Cloud Platform.

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Steve Buscemi, Armando Ianucci, & Andrea Riseborough on The Death of Stalin

Thu, 08 Mar 2018 23:32:58 -0000

The cast and creator of THE DEATH OF STALIN talk about mining one of Russia’s darkest chapters for comedy and some of absurd but true stories that make into THE DEATH OF STALIN. Writer/director Armando Ianucci (VEEP, THE THICK OF IT) talks about how fighting ruthless authoritarians is a family tradition for him, why Russian officials think his movie is part of a western plot destabilize that country, and why the creator of VEEP is finally ready to give politics a break for a while.

Steve Buscemi (BOARDWALK EMPIRE, RESERVOIR DOGS, FARGO) discusses playing Nikita Kruschev in THE DEATH OF STALIN, his early career in standup comedy, how he says Stalin’s inner circle was more like The Three Stooges, and why his old AOL account is the best insurance against Russia hackers. Andrea Riseborough (BIRDMAN, OBLIVION)who portrays Svetlana Stalina talks about the illusive relationship between the ruthless dictator and his daughter and some of her favorite British comedies.

THE DEATH OF STALIN opens in theaters on Friday, March 9. For more information, visit www.DeathOfStalin.co.uk or www.ifcfilms.com. Today’s podcast was sponsored by Grasshopper, ZQuiet, Hulu's The Looming Tower, Google Cloud Platform Podcast, and the VMWare Executive Perspective Podcast.

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Cass Sunstein on Authoritarianism in America

Mon, 05 Mar 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Cass Sunstein attempts to answer the question "Can authoritarianism happen in America?" He discusses a few of America’s past flirtations with authoritarianism, some of the weaknesses in our system that could be exploited by an aspiring strongman, and why if it did happen, it would likely be a very gradual process instead of a bold power-grab. He talks about the ways that tribalism, nationalism and conspiracy theories create a fertile breeding ground for authoritarianism, he reveals whether he thinks President Trump secretly aspires to that sort of power, and America's most cited legal scholar weighs in on the Trump-Russia investigation.

Order Cass Sunstein's book Can It Happen Here?: Authoritarianism in America on Amazon and follow him on Twitter at @CassSunstein. Today's podcast is sponsored by The Big Question with Cal Fussman, Quip, AppRiver, and Google Cloud AI.

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Matt Ingebretson & Jake Weisman Go Corporate

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Matt Ingebretson and Jake Weisman, the stars and co-creators of the new Comedy Central series CORPORATE talk about their own experiences in corporate America and the irony doing their new show for corporate conglomerate Viacom. They discuss why they wanted a darker tone than typical workplace comedies, how they convinced Lance Reddick to play their tyranical boss, and why they took on the one holiday you that can’t make fun of in their season finale. Plus Matt and Jake talk about development hell, marvel at the modern wonder of a simple banana, and reveal why everyone’s a number at Amazon.

CORPORATE airs Wednesdays at 10/9Central on Comedy Central. For more information, go to www.cc.com/shows/corporate. Follow Matt Ingebretson and Jake Weisman on Twitter at @mattingebretson and @weismanjake. Today's podcast was sponsored by Google Cloud AI, The Looming Tower on Hulu, and Grasshopper.

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Gloria Allred Was Saying Time's Up Long Ago

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Attorney Gloria Allred was fighting for women long before anyone ever hashtagged Me Too or Time's Up, and she's the subject of a new Netflix documentary Seeing Allred. She reveals how her own personal experience inspired to fight for victims assault, harassment, and discrimination. She addresses critics who say she just does it all for the publicity, and explains that for many of her clients such as the Cosby accusers, a "trial" in the court of public opinion may be the only justice they can get. She talks about how that's changing with a new California law that extends the statute of limitations for sexual assault, she discusses why she decided to represent the family of Nicole Brown Simpson during the O.J. trial, and she gives an update on her client Summer Zervos’s pending defamation suit against President Donald Trump. Plus she talks about her surprisingly cordial relationship with defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, the battle of the Friar’s Club steam room, and why so many people call her "Senator."

Watch Seeing Allred on Netflix now, and keep up with Gloria Allred at www.gloriaallred.com or on Twitter at @GloriaAllred. Today's podcast was sponsored by App River, Grasshopper, Just for Men Hair Regrowth, Z Quiet, and Google Cloud Platform podcast.

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Comedian Ali Siddiq Goes from Jail to Jokes

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 22:36:38 -0000

20 years ago comedian Ali Siddiq served six years in the Texas state penitentiary, and now he’s returning to the cellblock for his new Comedy Central standup special Ali Siddiq: It’s Bigger Than These Bars. On today’s podcast, Ali talks about the incident that landed behind bars, and why he says “mental prison” is far worse than physical prison. He discusses how he started his comedy career by telling funny stories to his fellow prisoners, how he convinced the Bell County Jail to let him back in for his new standup special, and some of the surprising changes he saw in both the inmates and their guards. He recalls starting out in showbusiness on the modern day equivalent of the “chitlin' circuit,” reveals why his favorite comics are all old white guys, and answers which is the tougher audience…comedy club-goers or hardened criminals.

Ali Siddiq: It’s Bigger Than These Bars premieres on Friday, February 23 at 11:00 p.m. Eastern on Comedy Central. Check out Ali's upcoming live dates at www.alisiddiq.com and follow him on Twitter at @Ali_Speaks. Today's podcast was sponsored by Google Cloud Platform, Grasshopper, SeatGeek, and Adiamor.com.

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Malcolm McDowell on Mozart, Movies & Never Looking Back

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 06:32:27 -0000

Malcolm McDowell has starred in over 260 films and television shows from classics like Clockwork Orange to his latest role as an egotistical conductor on Mozart in the Jungle. He shares stories about "mostly drunken gambling and whoring" at the Royal Shakespeare Company, how he came up with the infamous Singin' in the Rain scene for Clockwork Orange, and how he got stiffed by the film’s notoriously cheap director Stanley Kubrick. The maestro discusses his strategy for conducting the symphony on Mozart in the Jungle and how the show bravely rebels against agism and Hollywood's conventional idea's about romance. Plus he recalls working with greats like Peter O’Toole, Laurence Olivier, and John Gielgud, he reveals why he turned down a chance to be knighted, and he talks about the role that made him public enemy number one for trekkies.

Season 4 of Mozart in the Jungle is now available with a subscription to Amazon Prime. Today's episode was sponsored by Squarespace, Google Cloud Platform Weekly Podcast, and Grasshopper.

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Twice the Funny w/ the Sklar Brothers

Fri, 16 Feb 2018 02:55:07 -0000

Comedians Randy and Jason Sklar talk about how they got into comedy and why they don’t just want to be known as the "twin comics." They talk about their podcast Dumb People Town that riffs on the dumbing down of America, talk about a few of the DPT characters who’ve become folk heroes to their fans, and what it says about life in the age of Donald Trump. Plus they talk about their new docu-comedy Poop Talk that uses humor to address one the biggest social taboos of all.

The Sklar Brothers' new film Poop Talk is available On Demand, on iTunes, on Amazon, and in theaters starting Friday, February 16. Subscribe to the Sklar bros podcasts Dumb People Town and View from the Cheap Seats. Visit their website at www.supersklars.com and follow them on twitter at @SklarBrothers. Today's episode was sponsored by Last Week Tonight w/ John Oliver, Google Cloud Platform Weekly Podcast, and Grasshopper.

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An Unspirational Conversation w/ Elan Gale

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Elan Gale, executive-producer of The Bachelor, says if you want to improve your life, be your own worst critic, not your own best cheerleader, and get to know your new best friends...shame, anxiety, and desperation. He takes on some of the most popular and meaningless inspirational phrases explaining why only narcissists believe "everything happens for a reason and "living without regrets" is a recipe for complacency. Plus Elan Gale on why Trump never learns anything, the best question to ask in an interview, and the stupidest hashtags on instagram.

Order Elan Gale's book You’re Not That Great (But Neither Is Anyone Else) on Amazon or Audible and follow him on twitter and instagram at @TheYearOfElan. Today's episode was sponsored by Squarespace, LinkedIn Jobs, and Hair Regrowth from Just for Men.

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Whitney Cummings Hacks the Female Brain

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Comedian Whitney Cummings talks about the humbling experience of being a first time director on her film The Female Brain, how she learned that every moment doesn’t have to be a joke, and why she says The Female Brain isn’t just for the ladies. She shares how she broke free of a cycle of co-depency once she started understanding the neurochemistry behind her bad choices and why she says it’s a lot harder to come up with jokes when you don’t have all that none-stop drama. Whitney weighs in on the Me Too movement and hints that the new Roseanne reboot (which she's executive-producing) might just help us understand how middle-America went for Trump. Plus, Whitney talks about being a lady comedian in the Middle East, those women who see Marilyn Monroe as a feminist role model, and how she almost accidentally killed Sofia Vergara.

The Female Brain opens in theaters Friday, February 9. For more information, visit www.ifcfilms.com. Order Whitney’s very funny book I’m Fine…And Other Lies on Amazon, and you can keep up with her at www.whitneycummings.com or on twitter at @WhitneyCummings. Today's episode was sponsored by Google Cloud AI.

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David Frum on How Trump Corrupts the American Republic

Mon, 05 Feb 2018 09:00:00 -0000

David Frum, former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, discusses his new book TRUMPOCRACY: THE CORRUPTION OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC. He documents how Trump and his administration is steadily damaging the tenets of American democracy, warns that Trump’s military generals could become a liability to the President, and how the Trump Administration’s buffoonery may be incompetence by design with an end game of subverting the rule of law and undermining our Democratic institutions. Plus, Frum throws cold water on the idea that Trump might be a useful idiot for Congressional Republicans, explains why a Democrat win in the 2018 midterms could drive Republicans even closer to Trump, and discusses Trump’s bizarre habit of picking fights with allies in his own party.

Order TRUMPOCRACY: THE CORRUPTION OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC on Amazon or Audible. Read David’s writing in The Atlantic, visit his website at www.davidfrum.com, and follow him on twitter at @DavidFrum. Today's episode was sponsored by Kubernetes Engine on Google Cloud Platform.

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David Cay Johnston Tried to Warn You About Trump

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 23:03:01 -0000

David Cay Johnston, bestselling author of The Making of Donald Trump, returns to the podcast to say "I told you so" and discuss his new book It’s Worse Than You Think: What the Trump Administration Is Doing to America. The Pulitzer-winning investigative journalist says the President who promised to "drain the swamp" has become the biggest swamp monster of all. He describes how Trump is packing government agencies with "political termites" who are eating away at the very institutions they’re supposed to protect. He gives lie to the myth of Donald Trump as the champion of the American worker, explains the President’s two very different standards of justice, and reveals how Trump is enriching his family and giving away valuable government property to a new class of American oligarchs. Plus David Cay Johnston says he knows what the Mueller investigation has on Trump, he weighs in on the Stormy Daniels scandal, and makes a prediction for the 2018 midterms.

Order It's Worse Than You Think: What the Trump Administration is Doing to America on Amazon or Audible. Visit www.davidcayjohnston.com and follow David on twitter at @DavidCayJ. Today's episode was sponsored by Kubernetes Engine on Google Cloud Platform.

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A Skeptic's Guide to the Afterlife, Immortality, and Utopia w/ Dr. Michael Shermer

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Dr. Michael Shermer, editor of Skeptic Magazine, talks about his new book Heavens on Earth: The Scientific Search for the Afterlife, Immortality & Utopia. He reveals the surprising history of our concept of heaven, he proves that out-of-body experiences are nothing more than hallucinations, and he questions why reincarnated souls only seem to hang around India. He discusses why it’s unlikely that you or anyone else will ever live past 125, why utopian societies always end badly, and why scientists still have some major kinks to work out in their quest to cheat death. Plus, skeptic Michael Shermer talks about his unlikely friendship with Deepak Chopra, he weighs on Trump’s ongoing battle with the truth, and settles whether Walt Disney is cryonically frozen.

Order Heavens on Earth: The Scientific Search for the Afterlife, Immortality & Utopia on Amazon or Audible. Visit www.skeptic.com and www.michaelshermer.com, and follow Michael on twitter at @MichaelShermer. Today's episode was sponsored by Squarespace and SeatGeek.

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Phil Rosenthal Eats His Way Around The World

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Phil Rosenthal, creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, reveals how the idea for his new travel show Somebody Feed Phil came from a trip he and Ray Romano took to Italy, he recalls some of the cultural roadblocks he encountered when he later produced the Russian version of Everybody Loves Raymond, and talks about the places he likes to call the "world’s greatest hits." He praises TelAviv as a perfect example of food’s power to overcome all differences, says Portugal is way more than just Spain’s little stepbrother, and suggests a city where you can experience all kinds of international cultures and flavors right here in America. Plus talks about an encounter with the notorious durian fruit, how to eat on camera without looking like a slob, and why the best meal of your life may only cost you a buck!

Watch all six episodes of Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix and follow Phil on twitter at @PhilRosenthal. Today's episode was sponsored by Squarespace and SeatGeek.

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Secretary of State George Shultz on Reagan, Gorbachev, and Winning the Cold War

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Former Secretary of State George Shultz recalls his close friendship with President Ronald Reagan, the moment he realized that Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev was someone the U.S. could do business with, and Reagan's Pershing missile moment as a masterclass in peace through strength. He suggests that President Trump may soon need to have a "Pershing moment" of his own, reveals what he learned in a meeting years ago with a young Vladimir Putin, and weighs in as an economist on the Trump tax reform act. Plus George Shultz discusses why Ronald Reagan never bluffed, why foreign policy is a lot like gardening, and why the prospect of nuclear war still keeps him up at night.

George Shultz is a fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution and you can read some of his articles at www.hoover.org. Today's episode was sponsored by Credit Karma and The Art of Charm podcast.

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Greg Barker Captures Obama's Final Year

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker Greg Barker (Ghosts of Rwanda, Manhunt, Homegrown) talks about following President Barack Obama and other senior White House officials during the final 12 months of the Obama Administration for his new film THE FINAL YEAR. He reveals some of the heartbreaking humanitarian nightmares faced by UN Ambassador Samantha Power, what it was like for Secretary of State John Kerry to return to Vietnam 45 years after fought in the war there, and why President Obama chose Greece for his last overseas stop. He explains John Kerry's version of diplomatic speed dating, gives a fly on the wall perspective on the Syrian peace deal that never was, and discusses the Obama Administration’s fundamental miscalculation about Russian President Vladimir Putin.

THE FINAL YEAR opens in theatres and on demand this Friday, January 19. For more information visit www.thefinalyearfilm.com and follow Greg Barker on twitter at @GJBarker. Today's episode was sponsored by Control GX.

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General David Petraeus on the Counterinsurgency, the Paradox of Nation Building & a Military Commander's Worst Enemy...Yes Men

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0000

General David Petraeus talks about implementing the successful "Surge" strategy in Iraq, and some of the unique complexities he encountered when translating that plan to the war in Afghanistan. He discusses the fundamentals of counterinsurgency, his personal disdain for yes men, the paradox of nation building, and how a grad school dissertation on the Vietnam War helped shape his world view. Plus General Petraeus weighs in on President Trump and the return of large geopolitical rivalries. Today's episode was sponsored by LinkedIn Jobs and The Art of Charm podcast.

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Nightline's Dan Harris Becomes My Meditation Guru

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0000

ABC Nightline's Dan Harris has become a self-professed meditation evangelist ever since his infamous on-air panic attack in 2004 and today he tries to win over the ultimate skeptic...ME. He reveals how daily meditation has improved life at home and at work, he dispels some of the myths surrounding meditation, and he discusses the science behind the physical, mental and emotional health benefits of meditation. He gives a crash course in how you can begin meditating with as little as one minute of free time, and he tells stories from his 23 state meditation bus tour including encounters with some surprising meditation fans like an Ohio Congressman and the cadets and professors of VMI.

Order Dan's book MEDITATION FOR FIDGETY SKEPTICS on Amazon or download the audio book on Audible. Subscribe to Dan's 10% Happier Podcast and download the 10% Happier App. Follow him on twitter at @danbharris and at www.10percenthappier.com. Watch him weeknights on ABC’s Nightline and on the weekend edition of Good Morning America. Today's episode was sponsored by Squarespace and The Post. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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Daniel Ellsberg Reveals America's Secret Nuclear War Plan

Mon, 08 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Daniel Ellsberg, the whistleblower behind the Pentagon Papers, reveals how helped design America's top secret nuclear war plan and why he has since dedicated his life to dismantling it. He explains why the movie Dr. Strangelove is not far from the truth, discloses that the President isn’t the only one with his finger on the nuclear button, and explains just how far down the chain of command that authority may reverberate. He reveals the potentially staggering human cost of America’s first strike strategy, the logic behind the Joint Chiefs’ apparent peace with that risk, and their calculated willingness to obliterate US allies in the process. Plus Daniel Ellsberg weighs in on the nuclear game of chicken between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un, he lends some credence to the idea that’s there’s a so called “deep state” operating beyond the President’s authority, and America’s most famous whistleblower shatters the myth that all secrets in Washington eventually get leaked.

Order Daniel Ellsberg's book The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner on Amazon or download the audio book at Audible.com. Daniel Ellsberg is on Twitter at @Daniel Ellsberg, and you can keep up with him and view lots of supplementary documents about the Pentagon Papers and America’s nuclear war plan at www.ellsberg.net. Today's episode was sponsored by The Art of Charm podcast. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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Mike Duncan Answers "Is America Rome?"

Thu, 04 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Mike Duncan, host of The History of Rome podcast and Revolutions, constantly gets asked "Is America doomed to the same fate as the Roman Empire?" Today he points to some startling parallels to US current events including populist demagoguery, economic inequality, the erosion of societal norms, and debate over who deserves to be a citizen. He also offers ideas on how the American Republic can avoid the same fate as the Roman Republic before it's too late.

Order Mike Duncan's book The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic on Amazon or download the audio book at Audible.com. Subscribe to Revolutions and The History of Rome wherever you listen to podcasts or visit www.revolutionspodcast.com and www.thehistoryofrome.typepad.com. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeDuncan. Today's episode is sponsored by Tripping.com. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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Dilbert Creator Scott Adams on Persuasion in the Age of Trump

Mon, 01 Jan 2018 09:00:00 -0000

Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert cartoons, talks about his new book Win Bigly: Persuasion in a World Where Facts Don't Matter. He reveals why facts and ideology no longer matter, why Donald Trump makes what he says are intentional misstatements, and how Trump uses what he calls “linguistic kill shots” to flatten his opponents. He also weighs in why Trump’s "persuasion skills" haven’t been very effective on Congress and whether or not Trump supporters should be insulted at being manipulated by their President. Plus, how to hypnotize anyone, how Scott’s endorsement of Trump impacted his Dilbert readership, and an early prediction for 2020.

Order Scott's book Win Bigly: Persuasion in a World Where Facts Don't Matter on Amazon or download the audiobook on Audible. Visit Scott’s website at www.blog.dilbert.com and follow him on Twitter at @ScottAdamsSays. Today's episode is sponsored by Credit Karma. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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Ridley Scott & Charlie Plummer Talk About Saving Their Film on the Getty Kidnapping

Thu, 28 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Academy Award-nominated director Ridley Scott (Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down, The Martian) joins me on the podcast to discuss how he saved his movie ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD from the Kevin Spacey scandal by making the unprecedented decision to recast the role with the legendary Christopher Plummer and reshoot much of the film just 6 weeks before it hits theaters. He talks about the late billionaire J. Paul Getty, why the richest man in the world refused to pay his own grandsons’ ransom, and what the oil magnate’s heirs have had to say about the film. Then actor Charlie Plummer (Boardwalk Empire, The Dinner), who plays Getty's kidnapped grandson talks about the unimaginable wealth and privilege that came with being a Getty and what it was like to re-enact the gruesome moment when the real-life John Paul Getty III got his ear chopped off.

ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD opens in theatres on Christmas day 12/25. To find out more visit www.allthemoney-movie.com. Today's episode is sponsored by Grasshopper. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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Father Greg Boyle with a Holiday Message of Hope & Compassion

Mon, 25 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Father Gregory Boyle is the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang-intervention, rehabilitation, and reentry program in the world. He reveals what inspired him to start Homeboy Industries, how he fosters kinship between the most unlikely of friends - rival gang members, and how more often then not it’s just a matter of getting two people in the same room. He shares how law enforcement leaders are getting involved, what he’s learned from testifying in 50 death penalty trials, and how the church can do more to reach out to “the people in the margins.”

Order Father Greg's book Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship on Amazon or download the audiobook on Audible. To donate or find out more about Homeboy Industries, visit www.homeboyindustries.com. Follow them on twitter at @HomeBoyInd and follow Father Greg at @FrGregBoyle. Today's episode is sponsored by Grasshopper. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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David Hallberg, the First American in the Bolshoi Ballet

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0000

David Hallberg is a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and the first American ever to be admitted into Russia's legendary Bolshoi Ballet. David talks about the discipline and dedication needed to make to the top as a dancer, the unique chemistry of partnering with the right ballerina, and the behind the scenes coaches who have passed down ballet’s greatest roles since the very beginning. He recalls his tough adjustment to life in Moscow, some of the charming age-old traditions at the Bolshoi Ballet, and the unbelievable 2013 acid attack on his former boss Bolshoi director Sergei Fillin. Plus David opens up about the debilitating injury that required him to completely relearn how to dance and his hard-won comeback to the ballet stage.

Order his book A Body of Work: Dancing to the Edge and Back on Amazon or download the audiobook on Audible. Visit David’s website at www.DavidHallberg.com and follow him on Twitter at @DavidHallberg. Today's episode is sponsored by Grasshopper and Orbi. Please subscribe to Kickass News on iTunes and take our listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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Brian Kilmeade on Andrew Jackson & America's Second Revolutionary War

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Brian Kilmeade, co-host of Fox & Friends, talks about his new book Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans: The Battle That Shaped America's Destiny. He describes a confrontation with a British officer that became a defining moment for a young Andrew Jackson, how Jackson lead an army with a bullet wound to his shoulder and dysentery, and how Jackson never deserted his men and threatened to shoot any man who deserted him! Brian reveals why New Orleans was so strategically important, how Jackson’s army was able to defeat the British in a mere 45 minutes, and what the consequences might have been if Jackson had lost. Plus Brian Kilmeade talks about the comparisons between Jackson and Trump and weighs in on recent calls to reavaluate Jackson’s place in the history books.

Order Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans: The Battle That Shaped America's Destiny on Amazon or download the audio book on Audible. Catch Brian Kilmeade every weekday on Fox and Friends and his radio show The Brian Kilmeade Show. For more information visit www.briankilmeade.com and follow him on twitter at @Kilmeade. Today's episode is sponsored by Grasshopper and Orbi. Please subscribe to Kickass News on iTunes and take our listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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Corey Lewandowski & David Bossie Say "Let Trump Be Trump"

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 22:56:21 -0000

Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie served as campaign manager and deputy campaign for Donald Trump's successful Presidential campaign and they write about that wild ride in their new book Let Trump Be Trump: The Inside Story of His Rise to the Presidency. Today they talk about the man they still call "the boss," his seemingly limitless energy, and his obsession with leaks and loyalty. They discuss some of tense moments on the campaign from Trump's attack on Senator John McCain’s military service which Corey thought might end Trump’s candidacy to the make-or-break meeting of the campaign inner circle following the release of the Access Hollywood tape. Corey talks frankly about his falling out with the Trump kids and his opinion of Paul Manafort, and they settle whether George Papadopoulus was really a campaign insider or a glorified coffee boy.

Order Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie's new book Let Trump Be Trump: The Inside Story of His Rise to the Presidency on Amazon or download the audiobook on Audible. Follow them on twitter at @CLewandowski and @David_Bossie. Today's episode is sponsored by Grasshopper and iFit Nourish Please subscribe to Kickass News on iTunes and take our listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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Judd Apatow Returns to Stand-up Comedy

Mon, 11 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Director/writer/producer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, Funny People, Trainwreck) talks about his lifelong love of comedy and how Amy Schumer got him to return to stand-up after a 25 year absence from the stage. He shares some advice to young comedy writers, gives his take on Hollywood’s sexual harassment problem, and talks about fatherhood and his marriage to actress Leslie Mann. Plus Judd Apatow discusses the tao of Gary Shandling, "stalking" Steve Martin, and what to do when Kermit the Frog thinks you’re unlovable.

Judd Apatow's Netflix comedy special Judd Apatow: The Return is available starting Tuesday, December 12. Follow him on twitter at @JuddApatow. Today's episode is sponsored by Grasshopper. Please subscribe to Kickass News on iTunes and take our listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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Dan Rather on Patriotism, the Press, and the Values that Unite Us

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Order Dan Rather's book WHAT UNITES US: REFLECTIONS ON PATRIOTISM on Amazon or download the audio version on Audible. Follow him on twitter at @DanRather or at www.newsandguts.com. Today’s episode is sponsored by iFit Nourish. Please subscribe to Kickass News on iTunes and take our listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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Lawrence O'Donnell on the Lasting Impact of the 1968 Election

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 09:00:00 -0000

For Lawrence O’Donnell, host of MSNBC’s The Last Word, the 1968 U.S. Presidential election was his political awakening, and it has remained one of his abiding fascinations. Today he talks about the war that sunk LBJ’s presidency and the wild election that followed including the indignities suffered by Senator Senator Eugene McCarthy, how the assassination of Bobby Kennedy threw the Democratic primary into chaos, and the impossible political position of the eventual Democratic nominee Humbert Humphrey. He analyzes the strategy behind the unlikely political comeback of Richard Nixon, the disturbingly familiar tone of the racist George Wallace campaign, and how 1968 has set the stage for every presidential election to follow.

Order Playing with Fire: The 1968 Election and the Transformation of American Politics on Amazon or download the audio version on Audible. Watch The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell every week night at 10PM Eastern on MSNBC, and follow him on twitter at @Lawrence. Today’s episode is sponsored by Grasshopper and Credible.com. Please subscribe to Kickass News on iTunes and take our listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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A.J. Jacobs Explores the World's Family Tree

Thu, 30 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0000

A.J. Jacobs recounts his attempt to throw the worlds biggest family reunion, and his efforts to connect with the billions of people he calls his "cousins" via a project called the world family tree. He discusses how this crazy project all began with an email from a dairy farmer in Israel, and quickly led him down a genealogical rabbit hole as he played "six degrees of A.J. Jacobs." He says any person on the planet is no further than 70th cousins with anyone else, and every one of the 7 billion people on earth will be connected through a global family tree within the next 10-20 years. A.J. discusses the potential for this idea to bridge divides, but he warns that genealogy can also expose uncomfortable truths and upend long held family narratives. Plus A.J. earns the ultimate Mormon street cred, attends a get-together of the Hatfields and McCoys, and nearly loses his mind trying to round up thousands of his "cousins" for the world's biggest family reunion.

Order A.J. Jacobs' book IT'S ALL RELATIVE: ADVENTURES UP AND DOWN THE WORLD'S FAMILY TREE on Amazon or download the audiobook on Audible. Follow A.J. on twitter at @ajjacobs or at www.ajjacobs.com. Today’s episode is sponsored by Grasshopper, Credible.com, and iFit Nourish. Please subscribe to Kickass News on iTunes and take our listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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Magazine Queen Tina Brown

Mon, 27 Nov 2017 19:49:57 -0000

Vanity Fair, news, magazines, publishing, journalism, fashion, celebrity, New York, Conde Nast, media, photography,

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Eric Ries on Applying Startup Thinking to Big Companies, Governments & More

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0000

business, entrepreneurship, startup, silicon valley, lean startup, tech, companies, GE, Amazon,

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Comedian Brian Regan on Working Clean, Tennis Scores & Middle East Peace

Mon, 20 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Comedian Brian Reagan talks about his very first standup act, the worst gig he ever had, and the double-edged sword of being labeled a "clean comic." He reveals why he doesn’t like to see his audience, why he never plays the town he lives in, and the incredibly weird audition that got him on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Plus Brian has a bone to pick with whoever invented tennis scoring, and he offers his sage advice for Middle East peace.

Brian Regan's Netflix comedy special Nunchucks and Flamethrowers is available November 21. Follow Brian on twitter at @brianregan and visit www.brianregan.com for tickets and tour dates.

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Paul Reiser & Jeff Sotzing on Bringing Johnny Carson Back to Television

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Paul Reiser and Jeff Sotzing discuss their new show There's...Johnny!, a funny and heartwarming coming of age series set amid the backstage antics on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. They talk about bringing Carson to a new generation of TV viewers, meticulously recreating the look of The Tonight Show for There's...Johnny!, and building each episode around some of Johnny Carson's most iconic television moments. Paul recalls his first appearance on Carson, Johnny’s impeccable sense of comedic timing, and his generosity to young comics like himself. Jeff shares memories of his uncle Johnny and his time working on The Tonight Show including being there for Carson’s final episode. Plus the antics of the legendary Pat McCormick, the time Johnny Carson foiled an extortion plot, and Tony Danza as the oh so cool Tonight Show producer Freddie deCordova.

Season 1 of There’s...Johnny! is available on Hulu November 16. Keep up with Paul at www.paulreiser.com or on Twitter at @PaulReiser, and visit www.johnnycarson.com for memorable clips and other fun stuff from The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Nadex and Grasshopper. Please take our new listener survey at www.podcastlistener.com/KICK.

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Jenna & Barbara Bush on their Unbreakable Bond & Life in a Political Dynasty

Mon, 13 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0000

politics, family, President, Bush, George. W. Bush, White House, sisters, 9/11, Republican, inspiration,

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Alec Baldwin & Kurt Andersen Talk Presidential Parody

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 09:00:00 -0000

humor, politics, satire, parody, Saturday Night Live, comedy, political, Donald Trump, President,

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A Lesson in Girl Logic w/ Comedian Iliza Shlesinger

Mon, 06 Nov 2017 20:17:00 -0000

comedy, comedian, stand-up, funny, Last Comic Standing, humor, feminism, women, relationships,

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Gilbert Gottfried Gets Real About Comedy, Family Life & His New Documentary

Thu, 02 Nov 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Comedian Gilbert Gottfried talks about his fear of being "outted" as family man in his new documentary GILBERT, recalls some of the worst gigs he ever had, and reveals why he used to look down on comics who "work dirty." He explains why nazis love him, tells traveling salesmen jokes, does his impressions Humphrey Bogart at the postoffice and Jackie Gleason as Rick in Casablanca, and tells his infamous Danny Thomas story. His documentary GILBERT opens at the IFC Center in NYC on 11/3, Laemmle Fine Art Theatre in LA on 11/10 and then in theatres across the country. Subscribe to Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing Colossal Podcast, and you can keep up with him at www.GilbertGottfried.com or on twitter at @RealGilbert.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our annual listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/KICK. Visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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LORE's Aaron Mahnke on Monstrous Creatures & Dark History

Mon, 30 Oct 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Aaron Mahnke, host of LORE podcast, shares the real history behind the legends of ghosts, vampires and werewolves, and how our scary folktales say a lot about our attitudes toward women, outsiders, and those who are different. He talks about the spiritualism craze of the turn of the century, the most sadistic witch hunters throughout the ages, as well as the Jersey Devil, the Beast of Bray road, gremlins, fairies and more.

Subscribe to LORE podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get podcasts. Don’t miss the LORE Amazon series available now, and order THE WORLD OF LORE: MONSTROUS CREATURES on Amazon or download the audiobook on Audible. You can learn more about LORE and Aaron Mahnke at www.lorepodcast.com or www.aaronmahnke.com and follow them on Twitter at @lorepodcast or @amahnke.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our annual listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/KICK. Visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Ron Chernow on Redeeming Ulysses S. Grant

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Pulitzer-winning author/historian Ron Chernow (Alexander Hamilton, Washington: A Life) wants Americans to rethink the 18th President with his new biography GRANT. He discusses Ulysses S. Grant’s drinking and early failures, his meteoric rise through the ranks during the Civil War, and how Grant struggled with his own personal civil war at home. He makes the case for General Grant as a brilliant military strategist, and argues that he deserves more credit for holding the Union together during Reconstruction. We discuss how Ulysses S. Grant later went broke when he trusted his fortune to the Bernie Madoff of his day and how Mark Twain helped the former President dig himself out of debt before suffering a painful death by throat cancer.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our annual listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/KICK. Visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Sir Richard Branson on his Adventures in Business, Space & Beyond

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Order Sir Richard Branson's new book FINDING MY VIRGINITY on Amazon or download the audio book at Audible. Keep up with Richard Branson at www.virgin.com or on Twitter at @richardbranson.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Harry's Razors, Sonos, Nadex and The Daily Zeitgeist podcast. Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our annual listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/KICK. Visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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King of Cards Richard Turner

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Richard Turner is the greatest card magician in the world and the subject of a new documentary called DEALT. He’s virtually never seen without a deck in his hands, and today he fesses up to shuffling cards in the movies, during church and even while making love to his wife! He shares why he doesn’t like to be called a magician or an illusionist, he discuss some of the less than ethical origins of card trickery, and talks about the man who mentored him in card manipulation. Then after the break, Richard Turner reveals a fact about himself that will completely blow your mind and leave you wondering how he can possibly do what he does! DEALT opens in theatres in New York as well as On Demand and on iTunes October 20, then in Los Angeles starting October 27 followed by other select cities. For showtimes and information visit www.dealtmovie.com. You can keep up with Richard Turner at www.RichardTurner52.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our annual listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/KICK. Visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Astronaut Scott Kelly's Year in Space

Mon, 16 Oct 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Astronaut Captain Scott Kelly talks about his year on the International Space Station, including how it pushed his body the limit, why the hardest physical test was re-adjusting to life on earth, and how his experience could get NASA one step closer to a manned mission to Mars. He reveals how he combatted boredom in space, what he missed most about earth, and how he got along with his Russian crew-mates amid strained US-Russia relations. Plus Scott tells me if the "overview effect" ever wears off, what space smells like, and much more.

Order Scott Kelly's book Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery (available 10/17) on Amazon or Audible. Keep up with him at www.ScottKelly.com and follow him on twitter at @StationCDRKelly.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our annual listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/KICK. Visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Anthony Bourdain Wants to End Food Waste

Thu, 12 Oct 2017 22:08:00 -0000

Anthony Bourdain speaks candidly about the problem of food waste, who is to blame, and who is working on solutions. He discusses how he and his fellow chefs have been fighting this battle for years in their own kitchens, including embracing the "snout to tail" movement, renaming so called "trash fish," and even turning table scraps into delicious pork. He also shares how he manages to juggle his a hectic travel schedule, waxes about his love of Vietnam, and reveals some of his most cherished comfort foods. Plus, Tony and I gripe about California's newly revived foie gras ban and the term "foodie."

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and take our annual listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/KICK. Visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Grouchy Historians Ed Asner & Ed. Weinberger

Tue, 10 Oct 2017 03:21:29 -0000

politics, history, America, founding fathers, Constitution, law, Supreme Court, television, comedy, federalist, liberal, political,

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Merry Mortician Caitlin Doughty on Changing Americans' Attitudes Toward Death & Dying

Thu, 05 Oct 2017 16:41:00 -0000

funerals, death, mortality, Halloween, travel, funeral homes, reform, burial, rituals, Libertarian, Ask a Mortician, cremation,

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Bill Murray & Jan Vogler Explore New Worlds of Music, Poetry & Humor

Mon, 02 Oct 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Actor Bill Murray (Lost in Translation, Rushmore) & classical cellist Jan Vogler discuss how their album New Worlds evolved out of a chance meeting on a flight from Berlin to NYC and a mutual love of music and poetry. Plus, Bill Murray shares his philosophy of life, his favorite American humorists, and his thoughts on being an internet folk hero.

New Worlds is available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, or wherever you buy music. Bill and Jan's concert tour begins Friday, October 6 in Santa Barbara and includes dates in Chicago (10/10), Buffalo (10/11). Toronto (10/13), New York (10/16), Portland (11/28), Seattle (11/29), San Francisco (12/8), and Denver (12/10). For dates and tickets, visit www.janvogler.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Obama's Funny Man David Litt

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 17:50:00 -0000

Presidential speechwriter David Litt reflects on his political coming of age in the Obama White House, fiction vs. reality on The West Wing, and his sometimes nemesis in the White House research department. He talks about President Obama's sense of humor, writing for the White House Correspondents Dinner speeches, and self-deprecation as a political tool. Plus, he shares some of the jokes that DIDN’T make it into the President’s speeches.

Order David Litt's book Thanks, Obama: My Hopey, Changey White House Years on Amazon or download the audio version on Audible. Follow David on Twitter at @DavidLitt and check out some of his more recent shenanigans at www.funnyordie.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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The Improv's Budd Friedman & Entertainment Writer Tripp Whetsell

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 02:05:15 -0000

comedy, comedians, entertainment, The Tonight Show, improv, standup, Hollywood, funny,

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Lesley Stahl Celebrates 50 Years of 60 Minutes

Thu, 21 Sep 2017 07:51:00 -0000

60 Minutes, News, CBS, broadcasting, journalism, politics, world affairs, president, Watergate, television,

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Tennis Player Maria Sharapova on Serena, That 2016 Drug Test, and Her American Dream

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 22:34:00 -0000

tennis, sports, Wimbledon, Russia, Serena Williams, Olympics, U.S. Open, immigration,

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Ken Burns & Lynn Novick Re-examine the Vietnam War

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 21:06:00 -0000

Acclaimed documentary filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick (The Civil War, Baseball, The War) discuss their epic 10-part film The Vietnam War which airs 9/17 on PBS. They discuss how the Vietnam War continues to evolve 40 years later, the ways their own perceptions have changed since they were young people growing up in the turbulent 1960’s, and how hindsight has given birth to some humbling and surprising epiphanies among those who fought on both sides. They ponder if some of the lessons of Vietnam have changed America for the better, they share what Vietnamese audiences have had to say about their film, and the man behind the acclaimed miniseries that re-examined the American Civil War weighs in on the Confederate statue controversy.

Episode 1 of The Vietnam War airs Sunday, September 17 at 8/7 Central on PBS. For more information, visit www.PBS.org or at www.kenburns.com. Follow Ken and Lynn on Twitter at @KenBurns and @LynnNovick

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Astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison's Plan for a 100 Year Starship

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 18:54:00 -0000

science, astronaut, space, NASA, Star Trek, solar system, StarTalk,

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Danny Strong Brings Author J.D. Salinger to the Big Screen

Thu, 07 Sep 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Actor, writer, director Danny Strong talks about his new movie Rebel in the Rye about the life of author J.D. Salinger. He discusses the challenges of portraying a man who spent so much of his life out of the public spotlight, the autobiographical aspects of his novel Catcher in the Rye, and why this film is probably the closest we will ever get to a Catcher in the Rye movie. Plus, Danny reveals how a young video clerk named Quentin Tarantino stoked his early love of film, and we talk about Danny's big screen adaptation of the musical Guys & Dolls.

Rebel in the Rye opens in theatres tomorrow Friday, September 8, and his show Empire returns for a 4th season on September 27 on Fox. Follow Danny Strong on Twitter at @DannyStrong.

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Bryan Cranston on Life Before Acting and Becoming Walter White

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Breaking Bad, AMC, acting, theater, television, film, Seinfeld, TV, fame, actor,

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Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson (Rerun)

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 00:04:00 -0000

Today's episode is a rerun of my interview acclaimed astrophysicist, author, and a highly popular science communicator Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. Today Dr. Tyson talks about his new #1 New York Times Bestseller Astrophysics for People in a Hurry and why he wants to make science accessible and understandable for all. He shares his thoughts on how movies and television portray science. He reveals just how rapidly the universe was born and why the debate over the big bang theory vs intelligent design really shouldn’t be a debate at all because as he says “science doesn’t care about your opinion.” Plus we talk about Einstein’s thought experiments, wormholes, what’s in the dark areas of the night sky, how to gain a “cosmic perspective” of the universe, and whether Pluto can ever work its way back into Dr. Tyson's good graces. We'll be back with new episodes next Tuesday after Labor Day starting with guest Bryan Cranston.

Order Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson's new bestseller Astrophysics for People in a Hurry on Amazon or download the audio version for free with a special offer for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Subscribe to his weekly StarTalk podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts or visit www.startalkradio.net. You can also learn more about Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson and the Hayden Planetarium at www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson and follow him on Twitter at @neiltyson.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Carol Burnett (Rerun)

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 20:13:00 -0000

comedy, television, entertainment, comedian, theater, TV, shows,

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Richard Dawkins Has a Soul for Science

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Dawkins, Science, Biology, Darwin, Evolution, Reason, Christopher Hitchens, atheism,

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Al Madrigal on Comedy, Trump, and Avoiding Cilantro

Mon, 21 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0000

comedy central, stand-up, funny, politics, the daily show, Trump, latino, comedian, comic, Mexico, border, jokes,

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Dennis Prager on Politics, Religion, & Happiness

Fri, 18 Aug 2017 20:28:00 -0000

Radio host and author Dennis Prager discusses the politicization of his recent classical concert at Walt Disney Hall, explains why the media is a greater threat to America than Vladimir Putin, and warns that America may be in the middle of a "second civil war." Dennis says he'd rather spend most of his time talking about the big issues in life than politics, he shares his philosophy of happiness, and why he believes happiness is not just a feeling but a moral obligation. Plus we talk about his love of a good cigar, the time he shared a stogie with George Burns, and why LA traffic sometimes brings out the worst in him.

The Dennis Prager Show airs from 9AM to Noon Pacific and from Noon to 3PM Eastern. Visit www.DennisPrager.com to find your local station and learn more. Check out his educational videos at www.PragerU.com and consider making a donation to support Prager University. Order Dennis Prager's book Happiness is a Serious Problem on Amazon, and follow him on Twitter at @DennisPrager.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Rob Reiner Talks Movies, Politics, & Presidents LBJ to Trump

Mon, 14 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Director Rob Reiner talks about his new film LBJ and how his own view of President Lyndon Johnson has changed since he was a young man of draft age during the Vietnam War. He shares some favorite LBJ legends and talks about the evolution of Johnson as a civil rights warrior. He discusses growing up in showbusiness, his father Carl Reiner's remarkable energy at 95, and the time a very young Rob Reiner got in trouble for grabbing Mary Tyler Moore's ass on the set of his dad's show. Plus Rob weighs in on President Trump, the Russia investigation, healthcare, and whether he could get used to the words "President Meathead" in 2020.

Mark your calendars for his latest film LBJ which comes out this Nov 3, and follow Rob Reiner on Twitter at @RobReiner.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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200th Episode w/ Anthony Atamanuik, Host of The President Show

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 20:15:00 -0000

Comedy, Politics, Satire, Trump, Comedy Central, Humor, Television, President, Funny, Political,

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Snopes Founder David Mikkelson on Fighting Fake News

Mon, 07 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0000

news, media, fake news, alternative facts, truth, fact check, research, politics, urban legends, internet,

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The Creators of Amazon's COMRADE DETECTIVE

Thu, 03 Aug 2017 08:00:00 -0000

television, satire, comedy, propaganda, Romania, cold war, funny, TV, Amazon, series, Soviet, Reagan, humor,

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The Other Russia Scandal w/ Filmmaker Bryan Fogel

Tue, 01 Aug 2017 01:45:00 -0000

Russia, Sports, Olympics, Drugs, Putin, WADA, Socci, Putin, Crime, Athletics, Doping, Lance Armstrong, Bicycling, Documentary, Film,

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Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn on the Science of Aging

Fri, 28 Jul 2017 02:48:00 -0000

Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn is a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who was named one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People for her research into human telomeres and how they affect how we age. She’ll share how everything from your marriage to where you live effects your longevity, how trauma experienced during childhood and even in the womb can shorten our lives, and some tricks you can use to change your perspective and keep life’s worries from sending you to an early grave. She'll give tips for extending longevity and repairing your telomeres, she’ll weigh in on tests that measure your telomeres and supplements that claim to extend telomeres, and she'll explain why when it comes to telomere growth, you CAN get too much of a good thing.

Special thanks to the Milken Institute for hosting this interview during the 2017 Milken Global Conference. Visit www.milkeninstitute.org to learn more about the exciting research they are doing in health science and aging.

Order her book THE TELOMERE EFFECT: A REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH TO LIVING YOUNGER, HEALTHIER, LONGER on Amazon or download the audiobook for free with a special trial offer just for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews.

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Cyberwar Expert Alexander Klimburg

Mon, 24 Jul 2017 08:00:00 -0000

national security, defense, cybercrime, cyberwar, Russia, China, Putin, election, infowar, war,

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99% Invisible's Roman Mars Talks Trump, the Constitution, & Ugly Flags

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 20:55:00 -0000

Design, Architecture, Radiotopia, 99% Invisible, Trump, Constitution, Law, Podcasting, Politics,

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Sea Power w/ Admiral James Stavridis

Mon, 17 Jul 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Navy, Military, Sea, Ocean, NATO, Geopolitics, China, Russia, Foreign Policy, Naval, History,

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Coral Bleaching: The Next Ecological Catastrophe w/ Filmmaker Jeff Orlowski

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Emmy and Sundance Award-winning documentary filmmaker Jeff Orlowski discusses his new film CHASING CORAL. He’ll explain the extraordinary ecosystems that form around coral and how the health of our ocean’s coral is an early indicator of the health of the planet as a whole. We discuss some of the technical and logistical hurdles that Jeff and his team faced in their race to capture images of the most recent bleaching event, whether the rapid demise of coral reefs can be reversed before it’s too late, and why some coral reefs are suddenly and mysteriously glowing.

CHASING CORAL will be available on Netflix and in theaters beginning Friday, July 14. For more information, visit www.chasingcoral.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Senator Al Franken Is Allowed To Be Funny Again!

Mon, 10 Jul 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Politics, Comedy, Senate, Satire, Humor, Congress, Saturday Night Live, Democrat, Progressive, Comedy,

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Science Writer Mary Roach on the Curious Science of Humans at War

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 08:00:00 -0000

science, war, military, research, combat, medicine, soldiers, veterans, health,

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John McEnroe on Tennis, Temper, and a Few Life Lessons

Mon, 03 Jul 2017 08:00:00 -0000

tennis, Wimbledon, French Open, sports, grand slam, athletics, U.S. Open,

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Nuns! Nuns! Nuns! w/ Kate Micucci

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Kate Micucci discusses her hilarious new movie The Little Hours and the origins of her comedy folk duo that became a Youtube sensation Garfunkel and Oates. She talks about how The Little Hours satisfied her lifelong obsession with nuns that even includes a "nun collection." She reveals why no one in the film does an accent, we talk about the funniest nude scene ever, and she shares how she became a professional sandcastle builder.

The Little Hours opens in theatres tomorrow Friday June 30. Keep up with Kate at www.KateMicucci.com and follow her on Twitter at @KateMicucci. Check out some of the best Garfunkel and Oates at www.garfunkelandoates.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Senator Mike Lee on the Forgotten Founding Fathers

Mon, 26 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0000

American history, Constitution, Hamilton, Federalist, Bill of Rights, founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Republican, politics,

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GMOs: Fact v. Fiction w/ Filmmaker Scott Hamilton Kennedy

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0000

GMO, genetically modified organisms, science, food, farming, agriculture, crops, genetic engineering, health, Neil deGrasse Tyson,

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The Great Communicator Alan Alda Returns!!

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0000

As an award-winning actor, director, writer, and science communicator, Alan Alda has become something of an expert in empathy, relating to others, and facilitating greater communication and understanding. Today he returns to the podcast to share some of what he's learned. He recalls how an unfortunate experience with his dentist set him on a path to teaching better communication between doctors and their patients, and how he became a much better interviewer on Scientific American Frontiers when he stopped trying to be a know-it-all and just indulged his own curiosity. He talks about theory of mind, how he experimented in his daily life to develop greater empathy for others, how to heal the political divide one conversation at a time, and whether his wife of 60 years thinks he's really a great communicator.

Order Alan Alda's new book If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?: My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating on Amazon or download the audiobook for free with a special trial offer just for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Visit his website at www.alanalda.com and support The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at www.alanaldacenterlearning.org. Follow Alan Alda on Twitter at @AlanAlda.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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The Art of Manliness w/ Brett McKay

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Brett McKay is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Art of Manliness, the largest independent men’s lifestyle magazine on the web, and the host of The Art of Manliness podcast. We discuss the changing definitions of manliness, what many are calling a modern crisis of manhood, and why men don’t fix things anymore. Brett shares his tips on things like how to be an awesome uncle, how to use your baby as exercise equipment, how to get the perfect shoe shine, survive a bear attack, and how to use your smart phone to start a fire. Plus Teddy Roosevelt, the Eisenhower decision matrix, and a crash course in situational awareness.

Order Brett McKay's new book The Illustrated Art of Manliness: The Essential How-To Guide: Survival • Chivalry • Self-Defense • Style • Car Repair • And More on Amazon. Check out www.artofmanliness.com and subscribe to The Art of Manliness podcast on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Brett on Twitter at @BrettMcKay.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Remembers Coach John Wooden

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0000

NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar talks about his 50 year friendship with the "Wizard of Westwood" UCLA Coach John Wooden. He says Coach Wooden was more concerned with his players’ grades than with winning basketball games, he shares some of the wisdom that Coach Wooden imparted, and talks about the time Coach helped Abdul-Jabbar forgive another one of his early mentors who used a racial slur. He talks about how he felt when the NCAA banned dunking and how Coach Wooden helped him overcome that setback by showing him how use his signature "skyhook" to maximum effect on the court. Plus Kareem shares some of Wooden’s favorite inspirational quotes, the Coach's essential advice on how to put on your shoes and socks, and Kareem explains how his two loves - basketball and jazz are really very similar.

Order Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's new book Coach Wooden and Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off the Court on Amazon or download the audiobook for free with a special trial offer just for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. You can learn more about what Kareem is up to these days at www.kareemabduljabbar.com and support his charity The Skyhook Foundation at www.skyhookfoundation.org. Follow Kareem on Twitter at @KAJ33.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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The Daily Show's Jordan Klepper Solves Guns

Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:29:00 -0000

The Daily Show's Jordan Klepper talks about his new Comedy Central special Jordan Klepper Solves Guns. He reveals what enflames the passions on both sides of the gun debate, and he says Americans really aren’t so far apart on the issue of gun safety. In fact, he shares some surprising data on where rank and file NRA members stand on things like background checks. Plus he talks about brining his gun-owning cousin Pete on the program, embedding with the Georgia militiamen, and covering Trump Rallies for The Daily Show during the 2016 election.

Don’t miss Jordan Klepper Solves Guns on Sunday, June 11 at 10PM Eastern on Comedy Central. For information visit www.comedycentral.com and follow Jordan Klepper on Twitter at @JordanKlepper.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Comedy Legend Carl Reiner Returns!

Mon, 05 Jun 2017 08:00:00 -0000

comedy, entertainment, television, aging, movies, comedian, comic, TV, showbusiness, Hollywood, humor, documentary,

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Comedian Demetri Martin on Directing, Drawing & Death

Fri, 02 Jun 2017 04:46:00 -0000

comedy, comedian, film, directing, humor, art, death, grief, standup, movies, entertainment,

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Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson Gives a Lesson in Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Wed, 31 May 2017 00:17:00 -0000

science, space, astrophysics, planets, big bang theory, NASA, StarTalk, Cosmos, universe, education, NOVA,

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WAR MACHINE Director David Michod

Thu, 25 May 2017 20:08:00 -0000

War, Film, Afghanistan, Movie, Satire, Military, McChrystal, Taliban, Counterinsurgency, Politics, Foreign Policy,

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Ocean Explorer Dr. Robert Ballard on Finding Titanic, What Sank the Lusitania, & Searching for the Earliest North Americans

Mon, 22 May 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Dr. Robert Ballard is the famed ocean explorer responsible for some of the greatest undersea discoveries including the RMS Titanic, the German battleship Bismarck, and John F. Kennedy's WW II boat PT-109. Today Dr. Ballard reveals that he was actually on a top secret government mission when he found the Titanic, what it was like the first time he physically went down to visit Titanic, and his outrage at those who are looting this sacred burial ground for profit. We also discuss what really sank the Lusitania, what Russia is up to in the waters around vital fiber optic cables in the Atlantic, and the future of fishing with sustainable floating fisheries in the open ocean. Plus, how Dr. Ballard is now trying to bring his underwater adventures right into every classroom in America.

Special thanks to the Milken Institute for hosting this interview during the 2017 Milken Global Conference. Visit www.milkeninstitute.org to learn more about the exciting work they are doing in science and education.

Learn more about Dr. Robert Ballard and his Ocean Exploration Trust at www.oceanexplorationtrust.org, and as of May 12, you can follow the explorations of Dr. Ballard and the crew of the EV Nautilus in real time at www.nautiluslive.org. Follow Dr. Ballard and his team on Twitter at @EVNautilus.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Dave Anthony & Gareth Reynolds of "The Dollop" Tell Weird Tales From America's Forgotten History

Thu, 18 May 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds, hosts of The Dollop podcast share some of the stranger tales in their new book The United States of Absurdity: Untold Stories in America's History. They discuss quack medicine, meat showers, and straw hat riots. We talk about the excruciating death of America’s founding father, and how another U.S. president left a 1400 lb wheel of cheese sitting in the White House hallway for over year. We talk about Congress’s plan to bring hippo meat to the masses, Dr. Henry Heimlich’s idea to cure AIDS with malaria, two guys who built a flying Pinto, and how, not surprisingly, alcohol played a key role in some of the weirdest and most idiotic chapters in our history.

Order The United States of Absurdity: Untold Stories in America's History on Amazon or download the audiobook for free with a special trial offer from Audible at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Subscribe to Dave and Gareth’s podcast The Dollop on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts or go to www.dolloppodcast.com. Follow the them on Twitter at @daveanthonycomedy and @reynoldsgareth.

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Governor John Kasich/Dr. Richard Haass

Mon, 15 May 2017 17:13:00 -0000

A double bill today w/ Ohio Governor John Kasich and Dr. Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations. In Part 1, Governor Kasich discusses his book Two Paths: America United or Divided, the contentious 2016 GOP primary, and how to heal the country. He talks about valuing truth in the age of alternative facts, he shares why he’s opposed to the current version of the Republican healthcare bill, and why he’s tired some in his own party telling him to shut up about it. Governor Kasich also discuss how the Trump campaign approached his team about putting him on the ticket and why he’s more interested in swimming than running for President these days.

In Part 2, Dr. Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations, talks about his book A World in Disarray: American Foreign Policy and the Crisis of the Old Order. He says the old world order is poorly equipped to address the crises of the 21st Century so he’s calling for a 2.0 version of world order that takes into account non-state actors and our increasing interconnectedness. We also discuss Russia, the Syria crisis, North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, and “Twitter diplomacy.”

Order Two Paths: America United or Divided and A World in Disarray: American Foreign Policy and the Crisis of the Old Order on Amazon or download the audiobook for free with a special trial offer from Audible at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Follow Governor John Kasich on Twitter at @JohnKasich or at www.governor.ohio.gov. Follow Dr. Richard Haass on Twitter at @RichardHaass and learn more about the Council on Foreign Relations at www.cfr.org.

Special thanks to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum for hosting my interview with Governor John Kasich, and thank you to the Milken Institute for hosting my interview with Dr. Richard Haass during their 2017 Global Conference.

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Anne-Marie Slaughter on Strategies of Connection in Networked World

Thu, 11 May 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Dr. Anne-Marie Slaughter, president of the New America Foundation and former director of the State Department Office of Policy Planning discusses her new book The Chessboard and the Web: Strategies of Connection in a Networked World. She talks about the old model of Cold War era game theory and how the US needs to employ more inclusive strategies to deal with an increasingly more complex and decentralized world. She discusses how criminal and terrorist networks are using this type of organization to great effect, she talks about the divide between open and closed societies as the new capitalism vs communism, and how “America First” is terrible foreign policy in the age of globalization. She also discusses her time in the State Department, what she learned working for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and what might have been if her old boss was in the Oval Office right now.

Special thanks to the Milken Institute for hosting this interview during the 2017 Milken Global Conference. Visit www.milkeninstitute.org to learn more about their work to improve global stability and connectivity.

Order Anne-Marie Slaughter’s book The Chessboard and the Web: Strategies of Connection in a Networked World on Amazon or download the audiobook for free with a special trial offer from Audible at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Follow Dr. Slaughter on Twitter at @SlaughterAM and visit the New America Foundation at www.newamerica.org.

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Bad Taste & Making Trouble w/ Director John Waters

Tue, 09 May 2017 05:19:00 -0000

film, creativity, art, movies, Hairspray, inspiration, political correctness, counter-culture, director, filmmaker, Baltimore,

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Prof. Allan Lichtman Predicts Impeachment for President Trump

Thu, 04 May 2017 20:35:00 -0000

Professor Allan J. Lichtman has successfully predicted every US Presidential election since 1984, and now he predicts a bumpy road ahead for President Donald Trump in his new book The Case for Impeachment. He talks about what he sees as the 8 most likely paths to impeaching Donald Trump including the possibility of removing Trump from office on the grounds that he is mentally unfit to hold office. He discusses the surprising likehood of Republicans in Congress abandoning Trump in favor of VP Mike Pence, and he gives some tips for how Donald Trump could save his Presidency. Step 1 - fire Steve Bannon!

Order The Case for Impeachment on Amazon or download the audio version for free with a special offer for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Follow Professor Lichtman on twitter at @AllanLichtman.

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Inside Hillary Clinton's Shattered Campaign w/ Jonathan Allen

Mon, 01 May 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Political writer Jonathan Allen discusses his new book Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign. He talks about the various warring factions in the Clinton camp including Huma Abedin, John Podesta, and Robby Mook, and organizational disfunction and “too many cooks in the kitchen” undermined Hillary’s campaign. We discuss some of the fundamental flaws with Hillary Clinton as a candidate including her inability to articulate why she was running, her tone deaf response to outrage over her private email server, and he own admission that she didn’t “get what’s happening with the country.” Plus we’ll discuss how how close Joe Biden got to entering the race, how much of a factor Bill Clinton was, and a minute by minute account of election night from those who witnessed Hillary’s soul-crushing defeat first hand.

Order Shattered: Insider Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign on Amazon or download the audio version for free with a special offer for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Follow Jonathan Allen on twitter at @jonallendc.

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Comedian W. Kamau Bell on Denzel, the KKK & Black James Bond

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Comedian W. Kamau Bell, host of CNN's United Shades of America discusses the online marketing skills of the KKK, his leisurely stroll through the neighborhood with one of the most notorious gangs in Chicago’s South Side, and what it’s like to open carry while black. We debate the merits of Denzel Washington films and the phrase "All Lives Matter." Plus, a white nationalist who has a big problem with the idea of a black James Bond.

The season premiere of United Shades of America airs this Sunday, April 30 at 10PM Eastern on CNN. For more information including behind the scenes extras, visit www.CNN.com/UnitedShades. For more information on W. Kamau Bell including upcoming live performances visit www.wkamaubell.com and follow Kamau on Twitter at @wkamaubell. Kamau's new book The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell hits shelves May 2 but you can pre-order it on Amazon now.

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Adam Campbell of NBC's "Great News"

Mon, 24 Apr 2017 08:00:00 -0000

British actor Adam Campbell (Epic Movie, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) talks about Great News, NBC's new comedy series from the creators of 30 Rock. He discusses British comedy, the English funny men who inspired him, and defines a particular type of sarcasm known as "west country humor." He talks about living as a British ex-pat in LA, his thoughts on "fake news," and how Great News creator Tracey Wigfield may have drawn her inspiration from her time as intern at CNN.

The series premiere of Great News airs Tuesday, April 25 at 9/8 central on NBC. For more information visit www.nbc.com/great-news and follow Adam on Twitter at @adamcampbelly.

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Chris Whipple on the President's Gatekeeper

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Emmy and Peabody-winning producer and journalist Chris Whipple (60 Minutes, ABC News Primetime) discusses his new book called The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency. He'll reveal why the Chief of Staff is considered the 2nd most powerful job in government, who is considered to be the gold standard of White House Chiefs, and why the burnout rate is so high. He'll talk about how this relatively recent position was born out of Dwight Eisenhower's experience in the military and he'll discuss the Presidents who tried (and failed) to get by without a Chief of Staff. Plus, Chris rates the new Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, and reveals which mistake is a "hanging offense" for a White House Chief of Staff.

Order The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency on Amazon or download the audio book for free with special promotion for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. You can read can visit Chris Whipple’s website at www.chriswhipple.com and follow him on Twitter at @ccwhip.

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Letterman: The Last Giant of Late Night w/ NYT Comedy Critic Jason Zinoman

Mon, 17 Apr 2017 08:11:00 -0000

comedy, David Letterman, talk show, Johnny Carson, comedian, late night, television,

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Daniel Franklin of "The Economist" Envisions Technology in 2050

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Technology, Futurist, The Economist, Future, AI,

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Laughing Through the Arab Spring w/ Bassem Youssef

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 17:12:00 -0000

comedy, political, satire, Egypt, Middle East, Arab Spring, humor, The Daily Show, Jon Stewart, Muslim Brotherhood,

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Philipp Meyer & Kevin Murphy Talk Texas Oil & Buffalo Blood

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Philipp Meyer and Kevin Murphy discuss adapting Meyer's Pulitzer-nominated novel THE SON into an epic new AMC drama series starring Pierce Brosnan. They talk about the frontier spirit that led larger than life characters to risk everything, first in the cattle business and then in the Texas oil boom, and how that story fits into the mythology of America. They talk about the violent racial history of Texas including the oft forgotten chapter known as the "bandit wars," and how popular culture glosses over native Americans' own bloody past. Plus Philipp Meyer drinks buffalo blood!

The 2 hour series premiere of THE SON airs tonight Saturday, April 8 at 9/8C on AMC. For more information, visit http://www.amc.com/shows/the-son. Order Philipp Meyer's novels THE SON and AMERICAN RUST on Amazon. Visit Philipp Meyer's website at www.philippmeyer.com and follow Kevin Murphy on Twitter at @@kevinmurphyhc

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Exploring the Dark Net w/ Mati Kochavi

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 19:35:00 -0000

Mati Kochavi is the Israeli tech entrepreneur who created the Showtime docu-series Dark Net, which explores the mysterious world of the deep web and how technology is changing our lives for better and for worse. Today, he talks about the dark web, home of illegal arms sales, sex trafficking, drug deals, and chat rooms for hackers, terrorists, and other illicit communities. He discusses how his interest in the deep web began with the our failure to predict the Arab Spring and what the deep web can reveal about our changing society. Plus Mr. Kochavi shares how we may be the last generation to enjoy privacy and why technology may soon make human love obsolete.

Season 2 of Dark Net premieres Thursday, April 6, at 10PM Eastern on Showtime, or you can watch it whenever you want with a subscription to Showtime Anytime. For more information visit www.showtime.com. You check out Mati Kochavi’s news site Vocativ at www.vocativ.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Theoretical Physicist Lawrence Krauss Answers "Why Are We Here?"

Thu, 30 Mar 2017 15:13:00 -0000

science, physics, existentialism, origins, evolution, universe, big bang, religion, bible, Einstein, atheism, atomic, doomsday, education,

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P.J. O'Rourke on Election 2016: How the Hell Did This Happen?

Mon, 27 Mar 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Best-selling political satirist P.J. O'Rourke (Parliament of Whores) discusses his new book How the Hell Did This Happen?: The Election of 2016. The hilarious pundit shares his thoughts on a better way to choose the President, a tax on the Kardashians, and rates the candidates fashion. He ponders what happened to the Libertarians' "big moment" in 2016, reminisces about his days as editor at National Lampoon, and offers some tips on how to talk like a pundit.

Order How the Hell Did This Happen?: The Election of 2016 on Amazon or download the audiobook for free at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Read P.J. O’Rourke’s regular articles in The Weekly Standard or at www.pjorourke.com. Follow P.J. O'Rourke on Twitter at @pjorourke.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Professor Tom Nichols on the Death of Expertise & the Rise of American Ignorance

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Tom Nichols is a professor of National Security Affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, an adjunct professor in the Harvard Extension School, and a 5 time Jeopardy! champion. He’s a respected expert on national security, Russia, and nuclear proliferation, and he’s alarmed by Americans sudden rebuke of experts like himself, and the elevation of ignorance to some sort of virtue. He writes about it in a new book called The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters.

Today he discusses how colleges are fostering a society in which everyone’s opinion is treated as fact and how the internet is turning Americans into a bunch of ignorant “know-it-alls.” He talks about how fact checking sites like Snopes are fighting a losing battle against the tide of disinformation on the internet, he spells out how experts share part of the responsibility for the rebellion against knowledge, he talks about Donald Trump's professed "love" of "uneducated people," and how the embrace of ignorance could lead to an erosion of democracy in America. Plus, how to consume a balanced diet of news every day, and how to win at Jeopardy!

Order The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters on Amazon. You can visit Tom Nichols at www.tomnichols.net and follow him on Twitter at @RadioFreeTom.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Henry Winkler on the Fonz, Fonts & Helping Dyslexic Kids

Mon, 20 Mar 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Actor, producer, and author Henry Winkler (Happy Days, Arrested Development) talks about his best-selling series of Hank Zipzer books for children with dyslexia inspired by his own childhood struggles with the learning disability. He shares how his reading disorder led to some creative auditioning when he tried out for Happy Days, his fondest memories of the show’s creator Gary Marshall, and why the network tried to shoot down the Fonz’s famous leather jacket. He discusses how he navigates the hurdles presented by his learning disorder in his roles as actor, producer, and author, and he talks about the innovative new font he uses in the Here’s Hank books that actually makes reading easier for dyslexics. Plus, why bad grades aren’t the end of the world and why “jumping the shark” isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

There are 17 books available in Henry Winkler’s Hank Zipzer: World’s Greatest Under-Achiever series (ages 8-12) and 9 books in the Here’s Hank series (ages 6-8) including his latest Here’s Hank: Always Watch Out for Flying Potato Salad available to order on Amazon. Follow Henry Winkler on Twitter at @hwinkler4real.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Making a Murderer: Jerome Buting vs. Ken Kratz

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 08:45:00 -0000

Making a Murderer received over 16 million viewers in its first two months on Netflix, and the docu-series made convicted murderer Steven Avery a household name. Many people now believe Avery was framed and over 500,000 Americans have petitioned the President for a pardon for Avery.

Today, the prosecutor Ken Kratz and Jerome Buting, the defense attorney for Steven Avery, will argue their cases and discuss what Making a Murderer did and didn’t show you. They’ll both share their thoughts on the appeal of Brendan Dassey’s conviction and recent statements by Steven Avery’s former girlfriend Jodi Stachowski in which she says he’s guilty. Plus Jerome Buting will discuss alternative suspects for the Theresa Halback murder, and Ken Kratz reveals why he and Steven Avery later became pen pals.

Order Jerome Buting’s book The Illusion of Justice: Inside Making a Murderer and America's Broken System and Ken Kratz’s book Avery: The Case Against Steven Avery and What "Making a Murderer" Gets Wrong on Amazon or download the audio versions for free with a special offer at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. You can watch all 10 episodes of Making a Murderer with a subscription to Netflix.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Evgeny Afineevsky Discusses His Documentary "Cries from Syria"

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 08:00:00 -0000

Oscar nominated documentary filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky (Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom) returns to the podcast to talk about his new HBO documentary Cries from Syria. Evegny details how Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad helped fuel radical groups like ISIS to force the Free Syrian Army to fight a war on two fronts and misdirect media attention toward ISIS instead of Assad’s own crimes. He shares evidence that Assad continues to use chemical weapons on his own people and bombs civilian neighborhoods, hospitals and schools in a deliberate campaign of terror. He tells some of the heartbreaking stories of the thousands of children who have become the innocent victims of the Syrian War and he debunks Vladimir Putin’s claim that Russia is helping to fight ISIS in Syria. Plus Evgeny’s thoughts on the murky Trump-Putin relationship.

CRIES FROM SYRIA airs tonight Monday, March 13 at 10PM Eastern on HBO or you can view it whenever you want with a subscription to HBO NOW or HBO GO. For more information, visit www.HBO.com/documentaries. Follow Evgeny Afineevsky on Twitter at @evgeny_director and visit his production company at www.NewGenerationFilmsInc.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Man of 1000 Voices Rich Little

Thu, 09 Mar 2017 09:00:00 -0000

“The man of 1000 voices” celebrity impersonator Rich Little talks about his 50 years in showbiz and his memoir Little by Little: People I’ve Known and Been. He discusses the time he stood in for Ronald Reagan at a White House press conference, the time Jack Benny led him on a ridiculous quest for the perfect chicken noodle soup, an embarrassing cocktail party at Richard Nixon’s house, and how a trip to the San Diego Zoo helped him perfect his Johnny Carson impersonation. He says Ed Sullivan was dumb as a rock, Cary Grant was surprisingly insecure, and Jimmy Stewart avoided signing autographs by acting like Quasimodo. Rich Little even shares some tips on how to do celebrity voices.

Order Rich Little’s book Little by Little: People I’ve Known and Been on Amazon or you can download the audio version for free with special offer for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Visit Rich at www.RichLittle.com or on Facebook and buy tickets for Rich Little Live! at the Tropicana in Las Vegas at www.troplv.com.

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Author Patricia Cornwell Solves Jack the Ripper Case

Mon, 06 Mar 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Best-selling crime writer Patricia Cornwell discusses her investigation into the true identity of the most infamous serial killer of all time. She claims that a famous artist led a double life as Jack the Ripper, and she shares the clues in his paintings, letters, and conversations as well as forensic evidence that implicate him as the Whitechapel killer. She debunks the accepted Ripper timeline and body count, she talks about the frustrating incompetence of the original Scotland Yard investigation, and she shares what the art world has say about her controversial theory.

Order Patricia Cornwell’s book RIPPER: THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER SICKERT on Amazon or you can download the audio version at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews.com. Visit Patricia Cornwell’s website at www.patriciacornwell.com and follow her on Twitter at @1pcornwell.

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Please subscribe to Kickass News on iTunes and take a moment to take our listener survey at www.podsurvey.com/KICK. And support the show by donating at www.gofundme.com/kickassnews. Visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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The Most Famous Hacker Gives Tips For Personal Cyber-Security

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 05:51:00 -0000

Hackers, Cyber-Security, Hacking, Tech, Protection, Computers, Security,

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Legendary Mathematician Edward Thorp on Card Counting, Quantitative Investing, & Catching Bernie Madoff

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 22:35:00 -0000

Math, Investing, Finance, Blackjack, Casinos, Counting, Odds, Statistics, Computers, Wall Street, Gambling,

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VICE Correspondents Gianna Toboni & Isobel Yeung

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Vice, HBO, news journalism, documentary, current events, Syria, ISIS, Russia, media, Shane Smith,

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Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on T.P.P., Pacific Rim Security, China, & The Infamous Trump-Turnbull Phone Call,

Mon, 20 Feb 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Kevin Rudd served twice as Australian Prime Minister as well as Foreign Minister and is currently the President of The Asia Society Policy Institute. He offers his perspective on the strangely confrontational phone conversation between President Donald Trump and Mr. Rudd’s successor as Prime Minister Malcomb Turnbull. He also discusses Trump’s exit from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, what this means for the other partner nations including Australia, and what a new Pacific trade bloc with China might look like. We talk about Trump’s Florida holiday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, his sudden embrace of the "One China Policy," and a wide range of security issues from a Nuclear North Korea to China’s man-made islands in the South China Sea. Plus how to throw a boomerang.

To learn more about The Asia Society, visit www.asiasociety.org. You can visit Kevin Rudd’s website at www.KevinRudd.com and follow him on Twitter at @MrKRudd.

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Bloomberg Tech Editor Brad Stone on Uber, AirBnB, & the New Silicon Valley

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Brad Stone is Senior Executive Editor for technology at Bloomberg News and author of the New York Times bestseller The Upstarts: How Uber, Airbnb, and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley Are Changing the World.

Today he’ll discuss how both companies got there starts including how a James Bond movie inspired Uber and how a wiley illegal hotelier who almost wrecked AirBnB’s plans in New York City. We’ll talk about the rideshare wars between Uber and Lyft, Uber’s efforts to muscle in on the Chinese market, and Uber CEO Travis Kalanick’s decision to resign from President Trump’s business advisory council. We’ll also discuss why the rivals to Uber and AirBnB failed to take off, we’ll talk about Amazon’s latest experiments with blimps, drones, and cashless convenience stores, and why it’s good to be a “cockroach” in Silicon Valley.

Order Brad Stone’s book The Upstarts: How Uber, Airbnb, and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley Are Changing the World on Amazon or you can download the audio version at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Read Brad Stone’s articles at www.bloomberg.com or www.brad-stone.com and subscribe to his podcast Decrypted on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Brad on twitter at @BradStone.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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The Cast & Creators of AMC's HUMANS Imagine a Future w/ Artificial Intelligence, Robots & More

Mon, 13 Feb 2017 09:00:00 -0000

The creators of the AMC drama series HUMANS Jonathan Brackley and Sam Vincent return to the podcast, and then I'm joined by the stars of the show Gemma Chan, Tom Goodman-Hill and Sam Palladio. We discuss how consciousness might spread among intelligent machines, what "the singularity" might be like from their perspective, whether recent behavioral and psychological disorders arising from kids attachment to smart devices may foreshadow even more disturbing problems to come, and Gemma Chan shares what it’s like to learn to be a robot at "synth school." Plus robot marriage counselors, robot/human love, and the Scartlett Johansen robot.

If you enjoyed this episode, then don't miss the season 2 premiere of HUMANS tonight, Monday, February 13, at 10/9 Central on AMC. For more information, visit www.amc.com/shows/humans.

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Political Dirty Trickster Roger Stone on The Making of the President 2016

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Politics, strategy, opposition research, Trump, President, Nixon, Republican, Russia, hack, campaign, Reagan,

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Hugh Hewitt's "Fourth Way" for President Trump & the GOP

Mon, 06 Feb 2017 09:00:00 -0000

Hugh Hewitt, Conservative, Republican, Constitution, Trump, Hamilton, Lincoln, Infrastructure, Immigration, Navy, Nixon, Impeachment, Government, Law,

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Amazon's Fresh Take on Zelda & Scott Fitzgerald

Fri, 03 Feb 2017 03:20:00 -0000

Amazon is telling the story of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald through Zelda’s eyes in the new television series Z: The Beginning of Everything which stars Christina Ricci and David Hoflin as the original “IT” couple.

Today, David Hoflin talks about filling the shoes of America’s most iconic author, the often disfunctional relationship between Scott and Zelda, and their cautionary tale about getting too much, too soon. Then I talk with the executive producers and creators of Z: The Beginning of Everything Nicole Yorkin and Dawn Prestwich. They talk about what attracted them to Zelda’s POV, they weigh in on whether F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “borrowing” of his wife’s words amounts to plagiarism, and whether Zelda’s husband may have contributed to her steady descent into madness. Plus Nicole shares memories of her father - legendary TV producer Bud Yorkin.

Watch the first season of Z: The Beginning of Everything with a subscription to Amazon Prime. For more information visit www.amazon.com and search Z: The Beginning of Everything. Also be sure to check out Dawn and Nicole’s brilliant show The Killing on AMC.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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John Avlon, Editor of The Daily Beast on Washington's Farewell Address

Tue, 31 Jan 2017 07:23:00 -0000

George Washington, American History, Presidents, Founding Fathers,

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In Praise of Free Trade w/ Austan Goolsbee, Martin Feldstein & Amb. Michael Froman

Fri, 27 Jan 2017 20:48:00 -0000

trade, economics, White House, President, markets, foreign policy, globalism, TPP, free trade, NAFTA, Trump, trade war, China, Trans-Pacific Partnership, economy,

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The Interrogation of Saddam Hussein w/ CIA Analyst John Nixon

Mon, 23 Jan 2017 19:33:00 -0000

When the brutal Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was captured in 2003, senior CIA leadership analyst John Nixon was called in to confirm his identity and became the first person to conduct a prolonged interrogation of the man known as the “Butcher of Bagdad.” He talks about it in his new book Debriefing the President: The Interrogation of Saddam Hussein.

Today Nixon recalls the surreal experience of debriefing one of the most notorious men of our time. He’ll discuss Saddam’s sadistic sense of humor, his personal heroes, and how his opinion of his fellow leaders in the Middle East. He’ll talk about Saddam’s delusional view of the US-Iraq relationship, why he thought 9/11 should’ve brought the two countries closer, and his almost prophetic warnings about the rise of extremism and chaos in the region. Nixon will also reveal what President George W. Bush asked him about Saddam and he’ll weigh in on the Russia-Trump Intelligence Report.

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, then you can order John Nixon's book Debriefing the President: The Interrogation of Saddam Hussein on Amazon or you can also download the audio version for free at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Louie Anderson, Martha Kelly & Jonathan Krisel of FX's BASKETS

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 19:13:00 -0000

Today I talk with comedian Louie Anderson, who won an Emmy for his role as "Christine" on BASKETS, and Martha Kelly, who plays the brilliantly deadpan "Martha" on BASKETS. Louie talks about starting out as a joke writer for the king of the one liners - Henny Youngman, coming up as a young comedian in the heyday of the legendary Comedy Store, and getting his big break on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, plus Louie reveals which of his family members inspired his chactacter "Christine" on BASKETS.

Martha Kelly talks about coming up in the Austin comedy scene, and how her BASKETS co-star Zach Galifianakis and Jonathan Krisel convinced her to take the role of "Martha." Then BASKETS show-runner, executive producer, and director Jonathan Krisel talks about why he often prefers to work with non-actors, how the show got past the audience's preconceived expectations, and what it's like working with his co-creators Zach Galifianakis and Louis C.K. on BASKETS and his co-creators Fred Armisen and Carry Brownstein on his other show Portlandia.

Season 2 of BASKETS premieres tonight at 10/9C on FX. For more information including bonus content, behind the scenes footage and cast and crew interviews, visit www.FXNetworks.com. Follow Louie Anderson at Louie Anderson at www.LouieAnderson.com or on Twitter at @LouieAnderson. If you want to see Louie perform live, check his upcoming tour dates. Follow Martha Kelly on Twitter at @MarthaKelly3 or at www.MarthaKelly.net.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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The Cast & Creators of History Channel's SIX

Mon, 16 Jan 2017 10:30:00 -0000

History Channel’s new dramatic series SIX authentically captures the inside world of America’s elite Special Operations unit known as SEAL Team Six. Today I talk with the creators William Broyles Jr. and David Broyles and the stars of the show Barry Sloane, Kyle Schmid, and Edwin Hodge. They discuss the dangerous and secretive nature of SEAL Team Six’s missions and how it can put a strain on SEAL’s relationships back home. They talk about the psychological strength required of a SEAL, how the show creators’ own military experience influenced the series and the grueling physical training the actors endured at SEAL bootcamp.

SIX airs this Wednesday, January 18, at 10PM Eastern on the History Channel. For more information including bonus content, behind the scenes footage and cast and crew interviews, visit www.History.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Globalist Parag Khanna Calls for Technocracy in America

Thu, 12 Jan 2017 08:02:00 -0000

globalization, economics, trade, government, governance, Singapore, Switzerland, Presidency, Technocrat, Democracy,

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Stephen Dubner of Freakonomics Wants To Tell You Something You Don't Know

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 00:18:00 -0000

Freakonomics, Podcast, Behavioral, Economics, Markets, Steven Levitt, Psychology, Tell Me Something I Don't Know,

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Brain Warriors Dr. Daniel & Tana Amen Share Tips for Better Brain Health

Thu, 05 Jan 2017 09:00:00 -0000

brain, health, mental, longevity, aging, mind, neuroscience, neuroplasticity, medicine, fitness, psychology,

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Bradley Birkenfeld, The Swiss Banker Turned Whistleblower Who Exposed UBS Switzerland

Mon, 02 Jan 2017 20:44:00 -0000

Bradley C. Birkenfeld is the Swiss private banker who became the biggest financial whistleblower in history when he blew the lid of off secretive Swiss banks by exposing how UBS, the world’s largest bank, helped ultra-wealthy Americans commit billions in tax fraud. Today he’ll reveal the dirty little secrets of Swiss Banking and UBS’s dealings with the brother of the world’s most notorious terrorist. He’ll discuss how UBS courted wealthy Americans who wanted to hide their money, and then made it as hard as possible for their clients to withdraw from their own accounts. He’ll expose the surprisingly cozy ties between UBS and Washington politicians and how that relationship may have led Justice Department officials to "throw him under the bus" to protect some of the wealthiest and most powerful people in America.

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, then you can order Bradley Birkenfeld's book Lucifer’s Banker: The Untold Story of How I Destroyed Swiss Bank Secrecy on Amazon or you can also download the audio version for free at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. For more information on Bradley Birkenfeld, visit www.LucifersBanker.com and follow him on Twitter at @LucifersBanker.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Louganis

Fri, 30 Dec 2016 06:37:00 -0000

Greg Louganis is a four-time Olympic champion and widely considered to the greatest diver in history. He's also a champion of LGBT rights and today's Olympic divers. On Monday, January 2, he will serve along-side his fellow Olympic medalists Janet Evans and Allyson Felix as Grand Marshall in the 128th Annual Rose Parade.

Today Greg will talk about his remarkable sport career and some of the hurdles he’s overcome along the way, including when the US decided to boycott the 1980 Olympics, his infamous head injury in the ’88 Olympics and how he came back to win the gold medal the next day, and his battles with HIV and homophobia. Plus, a strange encounter he had with Vice-President-elect Mike Pence and what Greg Louganis is doing help today's Olympic athletes adjust to life after sports.

Be sure to watch Greg in the 128th Annual Pasadena Rose Parade on ABC at 8AM Pacific on Monday (12/2/17). For more information on Greg, visit www.GregLouganis.com and follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at @GregLouganis.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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AOL Founder Steve Case on the Third Wave of Tech (Rerun)

Mon, 26 Dec 2016 17:26:00 -0000

AOL, business, America Online, tech, entrepreneur, start-up, internet, future, Toffler, innovation,

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Comedian David Steinberg Talks Carson, Comedy, and Curb (Rerun)

Thu, 22 Dec 2016 19:00:00 -0000

My guest today is legendary comedian David Steinberg. David Steinberg will talk about how being part of the early days of Second City in Chicago, his 130 appearances on The Tonight Show (more than anyone other than Bob Hope) and his friendship with Johnny Carson, and how his appearance on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour singlehandedly got the most popular show on television cancelled. Plus David Steinberg talks about directing Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm, being bestman at a gangster’s wedding, getting on Nixon’s enemies list, and why he says I definitely should NOT try my hand at stand-up comedy.

If you enjoyed my conversation with David Steinberg, I would highly recommend that you subscribe to his wonderful podcast The David Steinberg Podcast on iTunes. Order the documentary Quality Balls: The David Steinberg Story on Amazon, and follow David on Twitter at @david_steinberg or at www.thedavidsteinberg.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Are You a Risky Drinker? w/ Dr. George Koob & filmmaker Perri Peltz

Mon, 19 Dec 2016 18:22:00 -0000

Perri Peltz is a filmmaker behind the new documentary Risky Drinking. It's a co-producting between HBO and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Today I talk with Perri and Dr. George Koob who is the director of the NIAAA about some of the signs that you or someone you love might have an alcohol disorder, the toll alcoholism can take on a person's physical and mental health, and some of the new treatments being used that go way beyond the traditional 12-step model.

Risky Drinking airs tonight at 8PM EST on HBO. You can also watch it on demand with a membership to HBO GO or HBO NOW. For more information, visit www.HBO.com. For more information on alcohol disorders and treatment options, visit the NIAAA website at www.niaaa.nih.gov.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Former CIA Analyst Nada Bakos Is NOT "Maya" from Zero Dark Thirty (Or So She Says!)

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 09:00:00 -0000

Nada Bakos was a CIA analyst and the Chief Targeting officer charged with finding the godfather of ISIS and mastermind of al Qaida in Iraq - Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. She’s also (according to some) the inspiration for the character of “Maya,” the CIA analyst in the Oscar-winning film Zero Dark Thirty. Today, Nada Bakos will talk about how she rose up through the predominantly male world of the CIA to become one of the agencies top analysts and the chief targeter of the most wanted man in the world. She reveals how CIA trackers finally found Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, how communications intercepts gave her a unique window on the power struggle between Bin Laden’s Al Qaeda and Zarqawi’s Al Qaeda in Iraq, and how those communications eventually led to the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden himself.

Special thanks to the Milken Institute for hosting this interview during the 2016 Milken Global Conference. Visit www.milkeninstitute.org to learn more about their work to improve global stability and prosperity.

You can visit Nada Bakos’s website at www.NadaBakos.com and read more of her work as a Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute at www.fpri.org. Follow Nada Bakos on twitter at @NadaBakos and pre-order her book The Targeter: My Life in the CIA, on the Hunt for the Godfather of ISIS which hits book shelves in June 2017.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Middle East Peace w/ Senator George Mitchell & Alon Sachar

Mon, 12 Dec 2016 09:19:00 -0000

Senator George J. Mitchell was the primary architect of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement for peace in Northern Ireland and the U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace. Today he and his co-author Alon Sachar discuss their new book A Path to Peace: A Brief History of Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations and a Way Forward in the Middle East.

They talk about why the peace process has failed time after time, and they outline the specific concessions each side must make to finally achieve lasting peace. Senator Mitchell discusses the big differences between brokering peace in Northern Ireland and negotiating peace in the Middle East, and how the political constraints on the Israeli Prime Minister and the Palestinian President can often work against the peace process. Plus we’ll talk about the history of U.S.-Israeli the sometimes tense relationship between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Order A Path to Peace: A Brief History of Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations and a Way Forward in the Middle East on Amazon or you can also download the audio version for free through a special offer for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Follow Alon Sachar on Twitter at @alonsachar, and visit his website at www.AlonSachar.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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The Daily Show: An Oral History as Told by Jon Stewart, the Correspondents, Staff and Guests

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 19:13:00 -0000

For almost seventeen years, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart brilliantly re-defined the borders between television comedy, political satire, and opinionated news coverage. Now a new book called The Daily Show: An Oral History as Told by Jon Stewart, the Correspondents, Staff and Guests chronicles the show's behind-the-scenes gags, controversies, and camaraderie.

Today, the journalist and author Chris Smith talks about how The Daily Show rose from a scrappy jester in the age of 24-hour political news to become part of the beating heart of politics and a trusted source for not only comedy but also commentary. He talks about the weirdly symbiotic relationship between Fox News and The Daily Show, he’ll talk about Jon Stewart’s legendary scraps with conservative pundits like Bill O’Reilly, and a creepy meeting Stewart had with Fox News founder Roger Ailes. He’ll reveal how Stephen Colbert morphed into a right wind pundit, which Daily Show alum was Jon Stewart’s original handpicked replacement, and how the show has inspired activists in other countries to use satire to take on some of the world’s most oppressive regimes. Plus we’ll talk about whether Jon Stewart is getting sick of everyone asking “don’t you wish you’d stuck around for the 2017 election?”

If you enjoyed today’s episode then you can order The Daily Show: An Oral History as Told by Jon Stewart, the Correspondents, Staff and Guests on Amazon or you can also download the audio version for free through a special offer for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. For more information visit www.DailyShowTheBook.com. Follow Chris Smith on Twitter at @chrissmithnymag and read more of his work in New York Magazine or at nymag.com. You can watch The Daily Show 4 nights a week on Comedy Central. For more info and bonus content, visit Comedy Central’s website at www.CC.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Michael Medved on The American Miracle

Mon, 05 Dec 2016 09:00:00 -0000

American history, United States, Founding Fathers, George Washington, Lincoln, Conservative, Politics, Republican, Faith,

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Award-winning Author Deirdre Bair on Al Capone's Life, Legacy & Legend

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 19:42:00 -0000

Capone, True, Crime, Gangster, Mafia, Prohibition, Chicago, Mob, 1920s, Criminal,

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Dana Perino Says "If You Want a Friend in Washington, Get a Dog!"

Mon, 28 Nov 2016 09:03:00 -0000

Fox News, The Five, White House, Politics, President, Bush, Dogs, Washington, Press,

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Rebroadcast: Arianna Huffington Is Starting A Sleep Revolution

Fri, 25 Nov 2016 19:47:00 -0000

My guest today is Arianna Huffington, co-founder, president, and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post and author of the new best-seller THE SLEEP REVOLUTION: TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE ONE NIGHT AT A TIME. She talks about America's dangerous sleep crisis and how our culture of ambition discourages us from getting a proper night's sleep. But she says we've got it all wrong. In fact, sleep is the ultimate performance enhancer.

She'll discuss the research that shows how sleep deprivation has a negative effect on our physical and mental health, our brain function, our job performance, our relationships, and our overall happiness. She'll reveal what actually goes on with our body and mind while we're sleeping, she'll discuss her personal sleep ritual and 12 tips for getting a better night's rest.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, order THE SLEEP REVOLUTION: TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE ONE NIGHT AT A TIME on Amazon or download the audiobook for free through a special trial offer just for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. You can follow Arianna Huffington at www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna or on Twitter at @ariannahuff.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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The Boston Marathon Bombings w/ Documentary Filmmakers Ricki Stern & Annie Sundberg

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 17:52:00 -0000

Emmy-nominated documentary filmmakers Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg talk about their new film Marathon: The Patriots Day Bombing, which airs 11/21 on HBO. Today, they discuss the 2013 Boston marathon bombings, the long road to recovery for the 264 people who were injured, and the unique bond that has formed between these survivors and our warriors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. They also talk about some of the remarkable advances in prosthetics that are helping them regain their mobility, and the survivors’ diverse opinions on capital punishment for Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

Marathon: The Patriots Day Bombing airs Monday, November 21 at 8PM Eastern on HBO, or you can watch any time with a subscription to HBO GO or HBO NOW. For more information, visit HBO.com. Ricki and Annie’s website is www.breakthroughfilms.org, and you can follow them on Twitter at @RicksterStar and @anniesundberg.

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Space Journalist Leonard David on NatGeo's MARS

Fri, 18 Nov 2016 07:41:48 -0000

MARS, a six-part miniseries from Ron Howard, premiered this week on National Geographic Channel, and today my guest is space journalist Leonard David. He authored the companion book to the miniseries titled MARS: Our Future on the Red Planet.

He discusses why we want to go to Mars, how we’ll get there, and how long it may take. Leonard David also shares how humans will survive the harsh environment of the red planet including little oxygen, gail force winds, and cancer causing radiation. He talks about the possibility that life may already exist there, the psychological toll of venturing so far from earth, and why private sector initiatives led by businessmen like Elon Musk could beat NASA to the punch.

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, then you can order Leonard David's new book MARS: Our Future on the Red Planet on Amazon or you can download the audio version for free at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Learn more about NatGeo's MARS miniseries at http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/mars Keep up with Leonard David at www.leonarddavid.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on iTunes and leave us a review. And support the show by donating at www.gofundme.com/kickassnews. Visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Carol Burnett Reminisces About 11 Hilarious Years of "The Carol Burnett Show"

Mon, 14 Nov 2016 09:32:00 -0000

The great Carol Burnett joins me to reminisce about some of the best times on The Carol Burnett Show. She shares stories about Harvey Korman, Tim Conway and Vickie Lawrence, including which one she almost had to fire and which one could always crack her up in front of the cameras. She talks about the boys club that was network television in the 60’s and 70’s and she reveals the comedy sketch that she wished she hadn’t done and some of her favorite questions from the audience. Plus some advice for young comedic actors and some exciting news about her big return to network television.

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, then you can order Carol Burnett's memoir In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox on Amazon or you can download the audio version for free at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Supermensch Shep Gordon on Film, Food, & Rock 'n Roll

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 19:51:00 -0000

music, entertainment, rock, band, Hollywood, celebrity, chef, fame, Buddhism, Dalai Lama, Hawaii, recording industry, independent, film, Hawaii, friendship, life,

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An Anti-Endorsement and Final Thoughts on the 2016 Election

Wed, 09 Nov 2016 02:01:00 -0000

It's almost finally over! Today, I share some final thoughts on the 2016 election and make my closing arguments against Donald Trump. With guests Bill Kristol, editor of The Weekly Standard, Pulitzer-winning New York Times journalist David Cay Johnston, former CIA/NSA director, General Michael Hayden, Stuart Stevens, chief strategist for Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign, Jonah Goldberg, senior editor at National Review, CNN Global contributor Parag Kanna, Jacob Weisberg, editor-in-chief of Slate Magazine, General Wesley Clark, and former Mexican President Vicente Fox.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Historian H.W. Brands on the Epic Rivalry Between Truman & MacArthur

Sat, 05 Nov 2016 02:42:00 -0000

American, History, Korean, War, Truman, MacArthur, Cold War, President, military, Soviet, World War,

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Chef Mario Batali Celebrates America's Favorite Regional Comfort Foods

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 07:51:00 -0000

Chef, cooking, foodie, Italian, restaurants, food, recipes, culinary, regional, American, Batali, The Chew, James Beard,

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Author James Patterson on the Shocking True Crimes of Billionaire Pedophile Jeffrey Epstein

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 08:22:00 -0000

Author James Patterson has sold over 350 million books and had more #1 New York Times Bestsellers than any author in history. He is best known for his fictional Alex Cross novels, but today he comes on the show to talk about his newest book - a true crime story about the sensational case of Jeffrey Epstein, the Palm Beach billionaire accused of sexually assaulting or molesting as many as 47 underaged girls as young as 12 and 13.

James Patterson reveals how Epstein went about recruiting teenage girls on an almost industrial scale and how it led Donald Trump to personally ban him from Mar-a-Lago. We talk about the recent rape allegations against Trump involving Epstein, as well as other high profile figures who have been drawn into Epstein’s sordid story including Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, and Allen Dershowitz. Patterson discusses how Epstein finally landed on the Palm Beach Police’s radar, and he talks about the strange matter of the Florida State Attorney who intervened in the investigation and some would say even “stacked the deck” in Epstein’s favor.

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, then you can order his book Filthy Rich: A Powerful Billionaire, the Sex Scandal that Undid Him, and All the Justice that Money Can Buy: The Shocking True Story of Jeffrey Epstein on Amazon or you can download the audio version for free at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Patterson also has a new novel in his popular Alex Cross series called “Cross the Line” coming out on November 21st. James Patterson’s website is www.JamesPatterson.com and follow him on Twitter at @JP_Books.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Critical Thinking in the Information Age w/ Dr. Daniel Levitin

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 19:45:00 -0000

Dr. Daniel J. Levitin is the #1 best-selling author of A Field Guide to Lies: Critical Thinking in the Information Age and today he’ll teach you how to sharpen your b.s. detector. He exposes ways supposedly reliable news sources like USA Today and Fox News monkey with charts and graphs to fool you and how to tell whether a website is a reliable news source or has a hidden a agenda. We discuss some terms you should know when looking at health data, we make sense of the proliferation of counter-knowledge on the internet, we talk about why you can’t always trust experts, and we fact check the 2016 election.

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, then you can order his book A Field Guide to Lies: Critical Thinking in the Information Age on Amazon or you can also download the audio version for free through a special offer for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Keep up with Dan Levitin on his website at www.DanielLevitin.com and follow him on Twitter at @DanLevitin.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Kevin Kelly, Senior Maverick At Wired, On 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future

Mon, 17 Oct 2016 19:53:00 -0000

Kevin Kelly is co-founder and senior maverick at Wired magazine. He has a new book called The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Techonological Forces That Will Shape Our Future, and he lays out his optimistic view of the next 30 years. He says right now is the best time in history to invent something, and he has a simple formula for the next 10,000 startups. We talk about big trends like the shift from an ownership society to an access society and how consumers are now becoming active participants, editors, and even creators of content. We talk about how virtual reality will transport us to whole other worlds and why Americans need to get over our Orwellian fear of data tracking. Plus Kevin talks about his love/hate relationship with those pesky software updates.

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, then you can order Kevin Kelly’s book The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future on Amazon or you can also download the audio version for free through a special offer for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Keep up with Kevin Kelly at www.kk.org and follow him on Twitter at @kevin2kelly.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Director Rod Lurie on "Killing Reagan" for National Geographic Channel

Fri, 14 Oct 2016 07:42:00 -0000

Director Rod Lurie talks about his new film Killing Reagan for Nat Geo. He sets the record straight about the popular myths of a situation room crisis and a power grab by Alexander Haig while Reagan was in the operating room. Rod talks about where he was on the day Reagan was shot, collaborating with Killing Reagan author Bill O'Reilly, and the recent release of Reagan attacker John Hinckley Jr.

Killing Reagan airs Sunday, October 16 at 8/7 Central on the National Geographic Channel or you can watch online at www.natgeotv.com. For more information about Killing Reagan, including clips, and behind the scenes extras, go to www.channel.nationalgeographic.com/killing-reagan. Follow Rod Lurie on Twitter at @RodLurie.

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Dylan Thuras of Atlas Obscura on the World's Hidden Wonders

Mon, 10 Oct 2016 07:28:31 -0000

Dylan Thuras is the co-founder and creative director at AtlasObscura.com, the popular travel site that revels in the weird, the unexpected, the overlooked, the hidden and the mysterious. He co-authored a new book based on the site and it's called Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders.

Today we'll talk about some of the strangest attractions the world has to offer including a Fiery crater that has been burning in the desserts of Turkmenistan since 1971, the independent micronation of Sealandia on an abandoned offshore oil platform in the North Sea, and a saloon in the Ukon that serves cocktails garnished with a severed human toe. Plus hipster tourism, lake monsters, doggie suicide bridges, and the hidden wonders in your neighborhood.

If you enjoyed this episode, then order Atlas Obscura: An Explorer’s Guide to the World’s Hidden Wonders on Amazon and visit www.AtlasObscura.com to read articles, find new travel ideas, and join special Atlas Obscura tours abroad and in your city. Follow Dylan Thuras on Twitter at @DylanThuras and Atlas Obscura at @atlasobscura.

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Artificial Intelligence (Pt. 2) w/ Prof. Nick Bostrom, Dr. Seth Baum, & the Creators of AMC's HUMANS

Fri, 07 Oct 2016 08:20:10 -0000

Artificial Intelligence, Superintelligence, Singularity, cognitive computers, technology, Science, AMC, Humans, Threats,

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Artificial Intelligence (Pt. 1) w/ Michio Kaku, IBM's Guru Banavar, Wired's Kevin Kelly, & Martin Ford

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 06:30:00 -0000

Artificial Intelligence is coming, and in Part 1 of this two part podcast, I talk with some of the leading A.I. scientists, tech journalists, and futurists about how A.I. may change our lives within the next three decades. First I ask futurist Prof. Michio Kaku about just how close we are to developing real artificial intelligence. Then I talk with Dr. Guruduth Banavar, Vice President and Chief Science Officer in charge of IBM's Cognitive Computing Division, about the latest version if IBM's Watson computer and how it's already transforming a wide range of industries from medicine to law. Then I'll talk with Martin Ford, author of Rise of the Robots and Kevin Kelly, founding editor of Wired Magazine, about their competing visions of how A.I. could affect our economy and society in the next few years.

Special thanks to the Milken Institute for hosting parts of this interview during the 2016 Milken Global Conference. Visit www.milkeninstitute.org to learn more about their work in the areas of science, education and innovation.

If you enjoyed today’s podcast, then you can order Martin Ford’s Rise of the Robots and Kevin Kelly’s book The Innevitable on Amazon. If you’re interested IBM’s cognitive solutions including Watson, then visit www.IBM.com/cognitive. Kevin Kelly's website is www.kk.org, and Martin Ford’s blog at www.econfuture.wordpress.com. Follow Guruduth Banavar on Twitter at @banavar, Kevin Kelly at @kevin2kelly, and Martin Ford at @MFordFuture.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Phoebe Judge and Lauren Spohrer of CRIMINAL Podcast

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 07:07:00 -0000

CRIMINAL is the wildly popular true-crime podcast hosted by Phoebe Judge and produced Lauren Spohrer. These "partners in crime" talk about the criminal justice system, their love of fictional detective stories, and how the name of their podcast sometimes proves problematic when booking guests. They share some of the quirkier and more touching stories they’ve investigated including a truck stop owner with a Bengal tiger, the black market for a famously hard to get bottle of bourbon, and a white collar prison inside the last leper colony in America. Plus we discuss getting letters from prison, cops who won’t talk, and whether or not they would take an interview with Charles Manson.

Subscribe to CRIMINAL on iTunes and visit their website at www.thisiscriminal.com. Follow CRIMINAL on Twitter at @CriminalShow and follow Phoebe Judge and Lauren Spohrer at @PhoebeVJudge and @LaurenSpohrer.

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CNBC'S Larry Kudlow & Historian Brian Domitrovic on JFK the Tax-Cutter

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 00:02:00 -0000

CNBC's Larry Kudlow and historian Brian Domitrovic talk about their new book JFK and the Reagan Revolution: A Secret History of American Prosperity. They dismantle the perception of John F. Kennedy as a Keynesian and make the case that he was the first President to embrace supply-side economics and an inspiration for Reagan's Presidency. Brian and Larry talk about the popular myth of post-war prosperity in the 1950s, the unusual team of rivals who advised Kennedy on economic policy, and how that policy influenced civil rights. Plus Larry Kudlow talks about his role as informal economic advisor to Donald Trump.

Order JFK and the Reagan Revolution: A Secret History of American Prosperity on Amazon or download the audio version for free through a special offer for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews.

Larry Kudlow can frequently be seen on CNBC and you can read his articles at National Review Online. His radio show The Larry Kudlow Show airs on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET on WABC Radio and is syndicated nationally by Cumulus Media. His website is www.Kudlow.com, and you can follow him on Twitter at @Larry_Kudlow. You can read Brian Domitrovic’s work at www.LafferCenter.com or at www.Forbes.com, and follow him on Twitter at @BrianDomitrovic.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Al Jean, Head Writer/Exec Producer of "The Simpsons" Is Doing What He Loves

Fri, 23 Sep 2016 11:21:00 -0000

The moment Al Jean completed the first episode of The Simpsons in 1989, he knew that he wanted to work on that show for the rest of his career. He's been doing just that as the head writer and exec producer of The Simpsons, guiding that groundbreaking series to a record-breaking 28 seasons.

Today Al Jean talks about his early days writing for “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” including those famous letters to Santa that were supposedly from little children. Then he talks about the birth of the Simpsons, the origin of many of the characters, and the early controversies that surrounded the show including a strange rivalry between the fictional Simpsons family and the first President Bush.

We talk about the process of making the show, the challenge of keeping the show fresh after 625 episodes, and what he’d like to do with the final episode (if that day ever comes). Plus we talk about the fans and some of the crazy conspiracy theories they have about the show.

Be sure to watch the season premiere of The Simpsons this Sunday 9/25 at 8PM Eastern on Fox and watch Simpsons reruns five days a week on FXX. For more fun Simpsons fan stuff, visit www.SimpsonsWorld.com. Follow Al Jean on Twitter at @AlJean and you can even follow the Simpsons on Twitter at @TheSimpsons

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HBO's "Three Days of Terror: The Charlie Hebdo Attacks" w/ filmmaker Dan Reed

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 08:00:00 -0000

Emmy-nominated filmmaker Dan Reed talks about his new HBO documentary THREE DAYS OF TERROR: THE CHARLIE HEBDO ATTACKS. He discusses the cartoons that served as the catalyst for the vengeful massacre of 10 employees at the French satiric magazine Charlie Hebdo by two brothers affiliated with Al-Qaeda in Yemen and the sympathy attacks by a third terrorist which became the Islamic State’s first assault on the French homeland. We talk about the broader issue of freedom of speech, the French government’s “burkini ban,” and the second wave of deadly Paris attacks that caught French authorities off guard just 10 months after the Charlie Hebdo murders.

THREE DAYS OF TERROR: THE CHARLIE HEBDO ATTACKS airs Monday, September 19, at 8PM Eastern on HBO. You can also watch THREE DAYS OF TERROR any time with HBO ON DEMAND, HBO GO or HBO NOW. For more information, visit www.HBO.com. Follow Dan Reed on Twitter at @danreed1000 or at www.amospictures.co.uk.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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James Carville Makes the Democrats' Case for 2016

Sat, 17 Sep 2016 22:21:00 -0000

Political strategist, author and pundit James "The Ragin' Cajun" Carville comes on the show to talk about his new book We're Still Right, They're Still Wrong: The Democrats' Case for 2016. Carville says "it's still the economy, stupid!" and he claims to have the hard data that proves that the economy does better under Democratic Presidents than Republican Presidents. He credits Donald Trump with dragging the Republican Party to the issue of income inequality but says Trump's solutions to the problem are all wrong. He also discusses his problem with the idea of being a "social liberal and a fiscal conservative," the scandals or non-scandals around the Clintons (including Hillary Clinton's health), and why he says politics and social media don't mix.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, then order James Carville's new book We're Still Right, They're Still Wrong: The Democrats' Case for 2016 on Amazon, or you can download the audio version for free with a special offer for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. Follow James Carville on Twitter at @JamesCarville or at www.jamescarville.info.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Discovery Network's "Taking Fire" w/ Kyle Boucher & J.J. McCool

Tue, 13 Sep 2016 08:19:00 -0000

TAKING FIRE is a 5-part docu-series for The Discover Network that follows a handful of rookies with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division who packed helmet cameras to film their one year deployment to the farthest flung region of the Taliban-held Korangal Valley in Afghanistan in 2010.

Today I talk with Kyle Boucher and J.J. McCool who did triple duty as soldiers, cameramen and stars of this unconventional series. They reveal how they were able to film this remarkable footage without interference from the Pentagon, they talk about some of the risks they took to get the perfect shot, and discuss the creepy feeling of fighting an enemy they couldn’t see but who was constantly watching them. They speak frankly about their working relationship with the Afghan National Army and the local Police forces, and what it's like getting shot at in the shower, at dinner, and while working out at “the world’s deadliest gym.”

The first episode of TAKING FIRE premieres tonight, Tuesday, September 13, at 10PM ET/9PM CT on The Discovery Network. Check your local listings or visit www.discovery.com to learn more.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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David Cay Johnston On The Making of Donald Trump

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 06:49:00 -0000

Donald Trump, Politics, Taxes, Net Worth, Fraud, Campaign, Trump U, Atlantic City, Election, Investigation, Business,

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Ann Coulter on Trump, Immigration, The Roast & More

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 08:21:00 -0000

Coulter, Trump, Conservative, Reagan, Republican, Election, Politics, Hannity, Comedy Central, Roast, Rob Lowe,

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David Priess Reveals All About "The President's Book of Secrets"

Fri, 02 Sep 2016 06:06:00 -0000

My guest today is former CIA analyst and daily intelligence briefer Dr. David Priess, and he talks about his new book The President's Book of Secrets: The Untold Story of Intelligence Briefings to America's Presidents from Kennedy to Obama. Today he’ll talk about the history of the top secret document, how it’s tailored to each President’s taste, and the massive intelligence bureaucracy that goes into publishing what is essentially a highly classified daily newspaper created just for one customer. We talk about the daily briefers like David who personally deliver “the book” every morning and discuss the most sensitive national security developments with the most powerful man in the world. We also discuss the intelligence briefs that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are now getting as candidates and which President’s had preference for gossip about the bedroom antics of fellow world leaders in the daily brief.

And if you enjoyed today’s episode with David Priess, then order his book The President's Book of Secrets: The Untold Story of Intelligence Briefings to America's Presidents from Kennedy to Obama on Amazon or download the audio book at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. You can follow David Priess on Twitter at @DavidPriess or at www.davidpriess.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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CNN Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin on the Patty Hearst Kidnapping

Mon, 29 Aug 2016 06:19:00 -0000

Jeffrey Toobin is a CNN legal analyst, journalist, and best-selling author. Today he talks about his new best-seller American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes, and Trial of Patty Hearst. He discusses bizarre story of her captors the Symbionese Liberation Army, some of the desperate measures the FBI resorted to in their effort to find her, and Patricia Hearst’s strange transformation from captive to criminal. We talk about how the case influenced media coverage of breaking news events, and how the Patty Hearst saga came to be synonymous with the idea of “Stockholm Syndrome.”

And if you enjoyed today’s episode, then order Jeffrey Toobin's new bestseller American Heiress: The Wild Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes, and Trial of Patty Hearst on Amazon or download the audio book at www.audibletrial.com/kickassnews. You can follow Jeffrey Toobin on Twitter at @JeffreyToobin or at www.JeffreyToobin.com, and look for his legal analysis on breaking events on CNN or in The New Yorker Magazine.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Mary Matalin Says the GOP Needs to Change, not Donald Trump

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 22:06:00 -0000

Mary Matalin is one of the most respected conservative strategists, authors and pundits in America, and this April she left the Republican Party to register as a Libertarian, but says she will still vote for the GOP nominee Donald Trump. We discuss her motives for leaving the GOP, why she says it’s been a long time coming, and why she’s more inclined to vote for Trump over the Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson. Plus I ask Mary Matalin how her mentor President George H.W. Bush and her husband James Carville took the news of her exit from the Republican Party.

If you enjoyed this interview, you can tune in to Mary Matalin's radio show Both Sides Now. Find out more at www.BothSidesRadio.com. You can also keep up with Mary at www.MaryMatalin.info. Finally, I highly recommend Mary Matalin's and James Carville's most recent book Love & War: Twenty Years, Three Presidents, Two Daughters and One Louisiana Home. Order it on Amazon or download the audio version for free through a special trial offer just for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Creators of AMC's Halt & Catch Fire, Chris Cantwell and Chris Rogers

Mon, 22 Aug 2016 07:01:00 -0000

TV, tech, AMC, Silicon Valley, television, Wozniak, Steve Jobs, Silicon Prairie, programmers,

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Can a Robot Take YOUR Job? w/ guest Martin Ford

Fri, 12 Aug 2016 10:43:17 -0000

Robots, Artificial Intelligence, A.I., tech, science, economics, economy, jobs, singularity,

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Alexandra Pelosi Exposes the World of Political Mega-Donors

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 09:11:00 -0000

My guest today is Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker Alexandra Pelosi who has a new film called MEET THE DONORS on HBO. Today she’ll talk about the Top 100 people who fund US political campaigns including the Koch Bros and George Soros, and she’ll reveal why one Soros family member is working to get money OUT of our politics. We’ll discuss what these mega-donors want from politicians, the perils of this nuclear arms race to buy political influence, Citizens United, and possible solutions to campaign finance reform. Plus I ask Alexandra what her mom Nancy Pelosi had to say about her efforts to shut down the gravy train for Washington politicians.

You can watch MEET THE DONORS on demand with a subscription to HBO GO or HBO NOW. Keep up with Alexandra Pelosi by visiting her website at www.AlexandraPelosi.com.

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100th Episode! Special Guest Dick Cavett

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 06:36:00 -0000

television, TV, history, Hollywood, comedy, Cavett, talk show, Tonight Show, Groucho Marx, wit, stories, anecdotes, jokes,

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Ben Shapiro on Political Correctness & Journalistic Integrity in the Age of Trump

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 20:31:00 -0000

Daily Wire, Breitbart, Conservative, Free America, Political Correctness, Colleges, Republican, GOP,

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The Holdouts - Prominent Republicans Against Trump

Fri, 22 Jul 2016 07:21:00 -0000

Republican, Conservative, Trump, Jeb, Romney, Libertarian, National Review, Free the Delegates, GOP, RNC, NeverTrump,

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The Dawn of Driverless Cars

Fri, 15 Jul 2016 08:27:00 -0000

Self-driving cars are coming faster than you think. Today I talk with Raj Rajkumar, co-director of the General Motors-Carnegie Mellon Autonomous Driving Research Lab about the tech behind driverless cars, the challenges they're encountering, and how they plan to protect passengers from a hostile cyber-attack. Then I talk with Doug Newcomb, the founder and president of the Connected Car Council, about selling American drivers on the idea of giving up so much control, the life-saving/time-saving potential of this technology, and the massive cultural and economic changes that will come from the autonomous car revolution. We also discuss regulation and how one day soon, driving your own vehicle on public roads will quite possibly be outlawed.

Special thanks to the Milken Institute for hosting this interview during the 2016 Milken Global Conference. Visit www.milkeninstitute.org to learn more about their work in the areas of science, education and innovation.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Alan Alda on Making Scientists & Doctors Better Communicators

Mon, 11 Jul 2016 06:53:00 -0000

My guest today is six-time Emmy and Globe Award-winning actor, director and writer Alan Alda. Science and medicine have influenced his acting in roles like Army Surgeon Hawkeye Pierce on the hit TV series MASH but now he’s using his art to help scientists and doctors become better communicators. He discusses the need for scientists to get better at explaining their very important work to the rest of us and how he’s using improv to help them do just that. He talks about teaching empathy to doctors and challenging scientists to explain a flame to an 11-year-old. Plus we discuss his encounter with a doctor who saved his life in the mountains of Chile, the complicated love life of Albert Einstein, and the medical accuracy of all those surgeries he performed on MASH.

If you enjoyed my talk with Alan Alda then I encourage you to visit wwwcenterforcommunicatingscience.org and support the great work he's doing at the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University. You can also visit www.alanalda.com to keep up with the latest from Alan Alda and follow him on Twitter at @alanalda. Finally, you might enjoy his highly entertaining autobiographies Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself and Never Have Your Dog Stuffed, and Other Things I've Learned available on Amazon or for audiobook at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Dana Loesch Stands Up for Flyover Country

Fri, 08 Jul 2016 20:35:00 -0000

Dana Loesch is the host of Dana on Glenn Beck's The Blaze TV and the nationally syndicated radio show The Dana Show: The Conservative Alternative. She has a new book called Flyover Nation: You Can't Run a Country You've Never Been To, and on today's podcast, she stands up for the good folks of the so-called "flyover states" and corrects misperceptions and media portrayals of the hardworking people in middle America. Dana talks about what matters in Flyover Nation, including issues like gun control, manufacturing jobs, and religious liberty. We discuss what it is that Trump voters in Flyover Nation are so angry about and the irony of the blue collar Americans choosing a rich New Yorker to represent the interests of the common man. Plus, Dana really, really likes Walmart!

If you enjoyed my conversation with Dana Loesch, then order her new book Flyover Nation on Amazon or you can download the audio version of her book for free through a special trial offer just for our listeners from Audible. You can find out more about Dana including stations and showtimes for her syndicated radio show The Dana Show on her website at www.DanaLoeschRadio.com, and subscribe to The Blaze TV to watch her show Dana every weekday. Follow Dana Loesch on Twitter at @DLoesch.

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Glenn Beck Talks Trump, Libertarianism, & Orson Wells

Tue, 05 Jul 2016 08:00:00 -0000

Glenn Beck hosts the third highest-rated radio talk show in America - The Glenn Beck Program, and he is the founder of www.theblaze.com. He's also the author of 7 #1 New York Times Best-Sellers. Today we talk about how Orson Wells inspired Glenn Beck's an early love of radio and why he went the independent route when he left Fox News to found The Blaze. He shares his worries over recent incidents of people taking the law into their own hands, he reiterates his gravest concerns about Donald Trump, and he makes an impassioned appeal for GOP delegates to vote their conscience at the upcoming convention. Glenn Beck also discusses why he will most likely be voting for the Libertarian candidate for President, and he makes the case for a Libertarian approach to federal government, drugs, and foreign entanglements.

If you enjoyed my talk with Glenn Beck then visit www.theblaze.com where you can sign up for a free 14 day trial of The Blaze TV. You can also go to www.glennbeck.com to find out more about Glenn and which radio station broadcast The Glenn Beck Program in your area. Check out his best-selling books on Amazon and follow him on Twitter at @glennbeck.

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The Hilarious Gilbert Gottfried

Tue, 28 Jun 2016 07:55:00 -0000

Comedy, Hollywood, Entertainment, Movies, Stand-up, Comedians, Funny, Amazing Colossal Podcast, SNL, Saturday Night Live, Friar's Club, Comedy Central, Roasts,

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Trump, the GOP, & Playing the Political 'Long Game'

Fri, 24 Jun 2016 07:46:00 -0000

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell talks about his childhood battle with polio, the longshot bid that got him elected to the Senate in 1984, and his difficult re-election in 2014. He discusses what the institution of the Senate means to him, his frustration with the 2013 government shutdown, and the need to put an end to Republicans attacking Republicans. Senator McConnell discussed his endorsement of Donald Trump and the serious concerns he has about the presumptive GOP nominee. He also reveals what advice he gave Trump in a recent meeting.

If you enjoyed my conversation with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, you can order his new book THE LONG GAME: A MEMOIR on Amazon or download the audio version for free with a special offer just for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics. Follow him on Twitter at @McConnellPress and at www.mcconnell.senate.gov.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper Talks Beer, Politics & More

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 16:39:00 -0000

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper is rumored to be on Hillary's short list for VP and today he talks about his unconventional path to political office, his success as a brewmaster, and how he sees his state as a microcosm for America. He also discusses Colorado as a test case for marijuana legalization and bridging the gap between environmentalists and the energy industry. Plus Governor Hickenlooper talks about drinking frack fluid, nude photography, what makes a good beer, and why he once took his mother to see the X-rated movie "Deep Throat."

If you enjoyed my conversation with Governor John Hickenlooper, you can order his new book THE OPPOSITE OF WOE: MY LIFE IN BEER AND POLITICS on Amazon or download the audio version for free with a special offer just for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics. Follow him on Twitter at @HickforCO and visit his original brewpub Wynnkoop next time you're in Denver.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Comedian David Steinberg Talks Comedy, Carson & "Curb"

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 19:27:00 -0000

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Suing the President, Restoring the Constitution, & Rising to the Top from a Wheelchair

Wed, 08 Jun 2016 23:59:00 -0000

Texas Governor Greg Abbott talks about his plan to restore the Constitution to our federal government as outlined in his new book BROKEN BUT UNBOWED: THE FIGHT TI FIX A BROKEN AMERICA. Governor Abbott also discusses his inspiring story of how he rose to become the longest serving Attorney General in Texas history and now Governor of that state despite being a paraplegic, how being wheelchair bound may have helped him win one of his first cases, and his thoughts on the Americans with Disabilities Act. He talks about his 31 lawsuits against the Obama Administration including challenges to Obamacare and President Obama’s executive order granting amnesty to illegals, plus he also gives his tips on where to go for the best BBQ and Tex-Mex in the Lone Star State.

If you enjoyed my conversation with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, I would highly recommend that you order his new book BROKEN BUT UNBOWED on Amazon or you can download the audio version of his book for free through a special trial offer for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics. You can follow him on Twitter at @GregAbbott_TX or visit his website at www.gregabbott.com.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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General Wesley Clark on Vietnam, the Wars in Bosnia & Kosovo, and the Future of U.S. Military

Tue, 31 May 2016 14:57:00 -0000

My guest today is General Wesley Clark. In his 38 years of military service, he served in various positions including Director of Strategic Plans and Policy during the War in Bosnia and NATO commander and Supreme Allied Commander in Europe leading Operation Allied Force during the war in Kosovo. Today General Clark will talk about the harrowing experience that earned him a Silver Star in Vietnam and what strategic mistakes were made in that war. He'll talk about leading the allied campaign during the war in Kosovo, his first impressions of Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, and how Milosevich was evaded justice for his war crimes. He'll discuss how he rethought the traditional organization of our military to give greater strategic responsibility to soldier on the ground plus General Clark speaks about the war in Iraq, the 2016 election, and why he likes Ike.

Special thanks to the Milken Institute for hosting this interview during the 2016 Milken Global Conference. Visit www.milkeninstitute.org to learn more.

If you enjoyed my conversation with General Wesley Clark, you can follow him on Twitter at @GeneralClark or visit his consulting firm's website at www.wesleykclark.com. I would also encourage you to read his excellent book A Time to Lead: Duty, Honor, Country.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Parag Khanna Explains Why Globalism Is Great for America and the World

Thu, 26 May 2016 07:24:00 -0000

My guest today is global strategist, world traveler and best-selling author Dr. Parag Khanna. He's written a new book called Connectography: Mapping the Future of Global Civilization. In contrast to the demonization of globalization, trade and immigration that's taking place in the 2016 election, Parag Khanna offers a hopeful vision of the future in which global supply chains matter more than borders, resources are shared most efficiently, and the most connected nations and people will thrive. Today he'll talk about the fallacies of nationalism and anti-globalism, he’ll talk about connectivity and trade as the greatest force for world peace, and he’ll discuss how the future will be less about nations and borders and more about interconnected mega-cities.

Special thanks to the Milken Institute for hosting this interview during the 2016 Milken Global Conference. Visit www.milkeninstitute.org to learn more.

If you enjoyed my conversation with Parag Khanna, I'd encourage you to read his book Connectography: Mapping the Future of Global Civilization. You can order it on Amazon or download the audiobook for free through a special trial offer for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics. Follow Parag Khanna at www.paragkhanna.com or on Twitter at @ParahKhanna.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Dr. Francis Collins, Director of NIH & Head of the Human Genome Project

Mon, 23 May 2016 07:09:00 -0000

genomics, genetics, medicine, science, Genome Project, HapLap, pharmaceuticals, research, DNA,

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Director Jay Roach Goes ALL THE WAY with LBJ

Thu, 19 May 2016 21:14:00 -0000

Lyndon Johnson, Politics, Civil Rights, LBJ, President, History, Elections, Campaign, Democrat, Movies, Martin Luther King, Freedom Summer,

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Paul Wolfowitz on Fighting Dictators, Encouraging Freedom, & His Problem with the Term "Neoconservative"

Mon, 16 May 2016 08:31:00 -0000

My guest is Paul Wolfowitz, former President of the World Bank, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and Ambassador to Indonesia. Today the world’s most famous neoconservative will tell us why he doesn’t like the term neocon. He'll talk about how his hatred of dictators and the teachings of Leo Strauss have shaped his own political philosophy, and how that has led to a lifelong passion for promoting freedom and combatting corruption as the first step to ending global poverty and preventing wars. Ambassador Wolfowitz will discuss both U.S. conflicts in Iraq and how Saddam Hussein's cynical manipulation of Iraqi Islamists may have inadvertently lead to ISIS. He will discuss his time as Ambassador to Indonesia and how that country might be a good template for democracy and reform in the Muslim world. He’ll share some great advice he once got from Secretary of State George Schultz and voice his concerns over the Iran nuclear deal and North Korean missile tests.

Special thanks to the Milken Institute for hosting this interview during the 2016 Milken Global Conference. Visit www.milkeninstitute.org to learn more. If you enjoyed today’s episode, then you can keep up with Paul Wolfowitz's work and writings at www.aei.org. You can also follow the American Enterprise Institute on Twitter at @AEI.

Please subscribe to Kickass News on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Facebook at Kickass News or on Twitter at @KickassNewsPod. You can also visit www.kickassnews.com for more fun stuff.

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Campaign Advance Man Josh King On White House Stagecraft, Photo-Ops Gone Wrong & The "Hat Rule"

Fri, 13 May 2016 17:20:06 -0000

My guest Josh King is a master of political optics. He is the former White House director of production for presidential events under President Bill Clinton. He has a new book called OFF SCRIPT: AN ADVANCE MAN’S GUIDE TO WHITE HOUSE STAGECRAFT, CAMPAIGN SPECTACLE, AND POLITICAL SUICIDE. Today he talks about some of the most infamous political blunders caught on camera including the infamous Dukakis in the tank image and his experience on the ill-fated Dukakis campaign. He’ll discuss how advance teams create memorable campaign events, how the best planned photo-op can backfire, why no President EVER wears a hat, and the pitfalls of political optics in the age of social media, including how to avoid creating a meme-able photo.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, order OFF SCRIPT: AN ADVANCE MAN’S GUIDE TO WHITE HOUSE STAGECRAFT, CAMPAIGN SPECTACLE, AND POLITICAL SUICIDE on Amazon or download the audiobook for free through a special trial offer just for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics.com. You can follow Josh King at www.polioptics.com or on Twitter at @Polioptics.

Please subscribe to KickAss Politics on iTunes and leave us a review. You can also help us reach our fundraising goal for this year and donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Or go to the website for the show at www.kickasspolitics.com and click on the donate button. Thanks for listening!

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Vicente Fox Unloads on Trump, Trade, & The Wall

Tue, 10 May 2016 07:28:07 -0000

In his frankest interview yet, former Mexican President Vicente Fox pulls no punches about the man he calls a “false prophet." It was recorded the same week as his apology to Donald Trump, and President Fox strikes a very different tone, doubling down on his statement "I'm not going to pay for the f-ing wall" and adding "and please don’t take out the f-ing full word." Vicente Fox compares the man he calls the "hated gringo" and "ugly American" to Latin American dictators like Hugo Chavez and Juan Peron. He also warns that if Trump starts a trade war, then Mexico could retaliate by stopping or limiting money transfers and remittances for US corporations and American tourists in Mexico. Because as Vicente Fox says "Don’t play around with us, we can jump walls, we can swim rivers, & we can defend ourselves." And he warns that if Trump becomes President, he "could take us to a war, not just a trade war."

Special thanks to the Milken Institute for hosting this interview during the 2016 Milken Global Conference. Visit www.milkeninstitute.org to learn more. If you enjoyed this interview, you can learn more about the Centro Fox at www.centrofox.org.mx. You can follow Vicente Fox on Twitter at @VicenteFoxQue.

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Disaster Response w/ Steven McAndrew, Head of Emergency Operations at Red Cross

Sun, 08 May 2016 21:30:19 -0000

Today’s guest is Steven McAndrew, Head of Emergency Operations for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. He's been on the front lines of some of the biggest disasters in recent history including earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, super-typhoons, disease outbreaks, and violent conflicts. He'll talk about what it's like to snap into action, coordinate a disaster response, and mobilize his teams every passing hour can be the difference between life and death. He'll talk about his work leading the Red Cross response to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone and what that taught him about the importance of information/education and the potential for a global pandemic. Plus he'll share his recent experiences handling a very different sort of humanitarian disaster as Head of the Emergency Operations for the Syrian Refugee Crisis.

To donate and learn more about the International Committee of the Red Cross, go to www.ifrc.org. You can also visit www.redcross.org, to donate and volunteer at a Red Cross location near you.

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AOL Co-founder Steve Case on the Third Wave of Tech

Fri, 06 May 2016 07:49:37 -0000

Today’s guest is the co-founder & former CEO of AOL Steve Case. In his new book THIRD WAVE: AN ENTREPRENEUR’S VISION OF THE FUTURE, Steve describes the third wave of the internet’s evolution in which the internet is going to be ingrained in every aspect of our lives and he talks about the business sectors that stand to benefit most. He’ll discuss the key factors that will separate the successful startups from the failures and why disruptive industries won’t necessarily spring up in Silicon Valley but all over the country. He’ll reminisce about the early days of the internet and the lessons learned as he took AOL from an idea that no one even knew they wanted to the biggest merger in business history.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, order THIRD WAVE: AN ENTREPENEUR’S VISION OF THE FUTURE on Amazon or download the audiobook for free through a special trial offer just for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics.com. You can follow Steve Case at www.revolution.com or on Twitter at @SteveCase.

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Juan Williams of Fox News on the Modern-Day Founding Fathers

Thu, 28 Apr 2016 07:10:04 -0000

Fox News political analyst and co-host of “The Five” Juan Williams talks about the modern day figures who have reshaped and affirmed the founding father’s vision of America. They range from Billy Graham and Ronald Reagan to Martin Luther King and Eleanor Roosevelt. Juan Williams talks about the situations that the framers of our Constitution never dreamt of and how 20th Century leaders applied their founding principles to meet the challenges and changes of modern day America.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, order Juan Williams' book WE THE PEOPLE: THE MODERN-DAY FIGURES WHO HAVE RESHAPED AND AFFIRMED THE FOUNDING FATHER’S VISION OF AMERICA on Amazon. You can follow Juan Williams at on Twitter at @TheJuanWilliams and watch him every weekday at 5PM EST on "The Five" on Fox News.

Please subscribe to KickAss Politics on iTunes and leave us a review. You can also help us reach our fundraising goal for this year and donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. And be sure to vote for Kickass Politics in the 2016 Podcast Awards at www.podcastawards.com.

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Nominate KICKASS POLITICS for the 2016 Podcast Awards

Wed, 27 Apr 2016 22:21:41 -0000

Go to www.podcastawards.com and nominate KICKASS POLITICS in the categories for PEOPLE'S CHOICE and NEWS & POLITICS.

Share your support on Twitter by tagging @podcastawards and @KApolitics & using the hashtag ‪#‎pca16‬. The deadline for nominations is this Sat 4/30 so don't wait and nominate the show now! Thanks for listening!

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Arianna Huffington Says Go To Bed!

Mon, 25 Apr 2016 06:32:57 -0000

My guest today is Arianna Huffington, co-founder, president, and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post and author of the new best-seller THE SLEEP REVOLUTION: TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE ONE NIGHT AT A TIME. She talks about America's dangerous sleep crisis and how our culture of ambition discourages us from getting a proper night's sleep. But she says we've got it all wrong. In fact, sleep is the ultimate performance enhancer.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, order THE SLEEP REVOLUTION: TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE ONE NIGHT AT A TIME on Amazon or download the audiobook for free through a special trial offer just for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics.com. You can follow Arianna Huffington at www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna or on Twitter at @ariannahuff.

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Comedy Legend Carl Reiner

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 07:46:22 -0000

My guest today is comedy legend Carl Reiner. With a dozen Emmys, he’s behind some of the funniest television shows and movies from his start on Sid Caesar’s “Your Show of Shows” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show” to his collaboration with Mel Brooks on the Grammy-winning “The 2000 Year Old Man” and Steve Martin on films like “The Jerk.”

On today’s show, Carl Reiner talks about the early days of television, his start in showbiz on Sid Caesar's “Your Show of Shows,” and how it inspired him to create the beloved “Dick Van Dyke Show.” We talk about his son Rob Reiner, his hero Mark Twain, directing Steve Martin in “The Jerk,” his brush with Hollywood’s communist witch-hunt, and how he avoided naming names. Plus Carl Reiner talks about his best-friend Mel Brooks, how they came up with the “The 2000 Year Old Man," and Carl's new book "Why & When The Dick Van Dyke Show Was Born."

If you enjoyed this episode, you can follow Carl Reiner on Twitter at @carlreiner, and you should definitely buy Carl Reiner’s wonderful new book “Why & When The Dick Van Dyke Show Was Born.” If you order it at www.randomcontent.com then Carl to will even sign it and inscribe it with a special message just for you.

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China's One Child Policy w/ Mei Fong, Pulitzer-winning Reporter for Wall Street Journal

Fri, 15 Apr 2016 00:03:37 -0000

On today’s episode, I talk about China's One Child Policy with Mei Fong, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who served as the China correspondent for the Wall Street Journal. She has a new book called ONE CHILD: THE STORY OF CHINA’S MOST RADICAL EXPERIMENT.

We’ll talk about how the One Child policy started as a “quick fix” to China’s overpopulation problem and how it suddenly came to an end 35 years later in October 2015. We’ll talk about the many people who were collateral damage in China’s attempt to socially engineer families including China’s rural poor who suffered forced abortions and sterilization. Finally, we’ll examine the many unintended consequences of the One Child Policy including a rapidly growing elderly population with no one to care for them, a massive gender imbalance and a whole lot of lonely men, and a shrinking workforce that is threatening to undermine the bedrock of the Chinese economy - manufacturing.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, order ONE CHILD: THE STORY OF CHINA'S MOST RADICAL EXPERIMENT on Amazon or download the audiobook for free through a special trial offer just for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics.com. You can follow Mei Fong at www.meifong.com or on Twitter at @meifongwriter.

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Documentary Filmmaker Ken Burns

Sun, 10 Apr 2016 07:00:00 -0000

My guest today is renowned documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. He has made 26 documentary specials for PBS including The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The War (about World War II), The West, and The Roosevelts: An Intimate Portrait which have earned him 13 Emmy Awards, 2 Oscar nominations, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. He has a new two-part documentary on the life of Jackie Robinson which airs April 11 & 12 at 9PM Eastern on PBS.

On today's podcast, Ken Burns will talk about how the first black baseball player revolutionized the game and brought down baseball’s color barrier with the sheer force of his talent. He’ll also talk about how Robinson inspired many civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King and the difficult relationship he had with that movement in the later years of his life. Plus Ken Burns will talk about his research process, what he looks for in a story, and how the “Ken Burns effect” ended up on every Apple computer.

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Cyber War w/ National Security Journalist Fred Kaplan

Thu, 07 Apr 2016 08:23:04 -0000

Fred Kaplan, Pulitzer Prize-winning national security journalist for Slate Magazine, talks about his new book DARK TERRITORY: THE SECRET HISTORY OF CYBER WAR. We discuss why it took Washington decades to take cyber threats seriously, and how a computer pioneer and a Mathew Broderick film led President Ronald Reagan to sign the first presidential directive on cyber security.

Fred Kaplan reveals how the 2010 cyber attack that damaged Iranian nuclear facilities may have opened a pandora’s box, we’ll get an idea of just how much U.S. cyber teams are capable of, and we’ll weigh the cyber arms race between the U.S. and China. Plus we discuss the how the FBI broke into the San Bernadino shooter’s iPhone and whether Hillary Clinton’s private unsecured email server might have gotten hacked.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, order DARK TERRITORY: THE SECRET HISTORY OF CYBER WAR on Amazon or download the audiobook for free through a special trial offer just for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics.com. You can read Fred Kaplan's column at www.slate.com or at www.fredkaplan.info. You can follow Jacob Weisberg on Twitter at @fmkaplan.

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Jacob Weisberg, Editor-in-Chief of Slate Magazine, On All Things Donald Trump

Tue, 05 Apr 2016 06:47:35 -0000

My guest today is Jacob Weisberg, editor-in-chief of Slate.com. He has a new podcast called Trumpcast, and he's determined to warn voters about Donald Trump until he puts an end to Trump's political ambitions once and for all.

We'll talk about how the whole Trump phenomenon happened in the first place,
the prospect of a brokered GOP convention, and Trump’s chances in the general election. Jacob will discuss what a psychologist's analysis revealed about Donald Trump, what it is that Trump voters are so angry about, and why comparing Trump to Hitler is ridiculous, but comparing Trump to other authoritarian figures like Mussolini might not be ridiculous at all. Plus we'll talk about getting trolled by Trumpinistas on social media and Jacob’s review of Trump wine.

If you enjoyed this episode, then subscribe to Jacob Weisberg's podcast Trumpcast on iTunes or at www.slate.com. You can follow Jacob Weisberg on Twitter at @jacobwe.

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Innovation Expert Alec Ross on The Industries of the Future

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 19:17:21 -0000

Today I’m learning about the innovations that will drive the next industrial revolution with my guest Alec Ross, author of the best-selling book THE INDUSTRIES OF THE FUTURE. Alec served for four years as Senior Advisor for Innovation to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, acting as the diplomatic lead on a range of issues including cybersecurity, Internet Freedom, disaster response, and the use of network technologies in conflict zones. Now he’s a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Johns Hopkins University and works as an advisor to investors, corporations, and government leaders.

Alec Ross will reveal the specific fields that will most shape our economic future, and examine pressing issues like the prospect of a cyberwar arms race and the impact of robotics on the U.S. job market. Plus we’ll discuss what skill sets will be most in demand in the next decade, how Americans can adapt, and what today’s parents can do to prepare their children for tomorrow.

If you enjoyed this episode, then you can order THE INDUSTRIES OF THE FUTURE by Alec Ross on Amazon at http://amzn.to/1RNws3e. You can also download the audio version of his book for free with a special trial offer just for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics. Follow Alec Ross on Twitter at @AlecJRoss or visit his site at www.alecross.com.

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War Correspondent Michael Ware On The War In Iraq & The Birth of ISIS

Mon, 28 Mar 2016 06:26:21 -0000

My guest today is Australian journalist Michael Ware. He’s a former Bagdad Bureau chief for Time Magazine and war correspondent for CNN. In 2003 Michael Ware arrived in Baghdad as a novice reporter on a three-week assignment to cover the invasion of Iraq. He left seven years later, having gained unprecedented access to the Iraqi insurgency and American troops and scarred by having seen the unimaginable brutality of the group that eventually became ISIS. Now his story is told in a new documentary called ONLY THE DEAD SEE THE END OF THE WAR that airs Monday, March 28, at 9PM Eastern on HBO.

On the podcast, Michael Ware talks about the time he was kidnapped and nearly beheaded by Al Qaeda in Iraq and he reveals how he became in his own words “obsessed” with the leader of that group Abu Mousab Al Zarqawi. He also talks about being embedded with U.S. marines during the grueling battle of Falluja and having a front row seat for the birth of the modern day terrorist nation state called ISIS.

If you enjoyed this episode, then you can watch Michael Ware's film ONLY THE DEAD SEE THE END OF THE WAR tonight, Monday, March 28, at 9PM Eastern on HBO. Or you can view it with a subscription to HBO NOW or HBO GO.

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Part 2: Futurist Dr. Michio Kaku On Amazing Inventions Coming In Our Lifetime

Fri, 25 Mar 2016 21:29:19 -0000

Today in Part 2 of my interview with theoretical physicist and futurist Dr. Michio Kaku, we look as some of the incredible advances in science and technology that will radically transform our lives within our lifetime. In many cases, these inventions are already in the testing phase and may be widely available within the next 5 to 10 years.

These include computers that will fit into a contact lens, Iron Man-like super soldiers, modular robots, liquid biopsies that will detect cancer 10 years before a tumor forms, replaceable human organs, hand-held MRI machines, recording motion pictures of our dreams, uploading information into our brain, downloading our entire consciousness onto a computer after we're gone, and recent discoveries that will dramatically slow down aging and perhaps one day even stop death entirely. It's an amazing discussion about some very real technological leaps being made right now and the unbelievable inventions that could completely change our lives very soon.

If you enjoyed my interview with Dr. Michio Kaku, then follow him at www.mkaku.org or on Twitter at @michiokaku. If you're interested in the science and technology of the near future, then I highly recommend Dr. Michio Kaku's books "The Physics of the Future" and "The Future of the Mind." You can order them on Amazon or you can download the audio version of these books for free with a special trial offer at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics. Also be sure to subscribe to his weekly podcast on iTunes called "Explorations in Science" and you can check his site for stations that carry his weekly syndicated radio show called "Science Fantastic."

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Part 1: Dr. Michio Kaku, Theoretical Physicist & Futurist Talks About Einstein, Gravity Waves, & The Future

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 10:04:20 -0000

My guest today is world renowned theoretical physicist, futurist, best-selling author, and popularizer of science Dr. Michio Kaku. He is the co-founder of string field theory and he continues to work on his ambitious mission to complete Albert Einstein's Unified Field Theory a.k.a. Einstein's Theory of Everything. Today he'll talk about his work on the Unified Field Theory, he'll discuss how the recent discovery of Einstein's Gravitation Waves will give scientists "a window into creation," and how his lifelong love of theoretical physics and the science of the future began. He'll reveal the real science that may one day make science fiction wonders like force fields, time machines, starships, teleportation, and travel to parallel universes possible. Plus Dr. Michio Kaku saves my life from the same thing that took down Malaysia Air Flight 370.

If you enjoyed my interview with Dr. Michio Kaku, then follow him at www.mkaku.org or on Twitter at @michiokaku. You can order his books "Einstein's Cosmos," "The Physics of the Impossible," "The Physics of the Future," and "The Future of the Mind" on Amazon or you can download the audio version of these books for free with a special trial offer at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics. Also be sure to subscribe to his weekly podcast on iTunes called "Explorations in Science" and you can check his site for stations that carry his weekly syndicated radio show called "Science Fantastic."

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Steve Forbes, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Magazine on Reviving America

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 07:05:52 -0000

My guest today is Steve Forbes is chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media. He’s authored or co-authored 4 books including his most recent one titled REVIVING AMERICA: HOW REPEALING OBAMACARE, REPLACING THE TAX CODE, AND REFORMING THE FED WILL RESTORE HOPE AND PROSPERITY.

Steve Forbes discusses the tragic irony of a healthcare system caters to the insurance companies, employers and big government while all but ignoring the needs of the end user. He’ll reveal how one of the unintended consequences of Obamacare is that it’s forcing many Americans to take charge of their own healthcare and paving the way for a true healthcare market that put the needs of consumers first. He also makes the case for a flat tax as the one system that really benefits everyone and a return to the gold standard as the best way to stabilize and grow the U.S. economy. Plus Steve Forbes will talk about the future of Forbes, running for President, and more.

If you enjoyed my interview with Steve Forbes, then order his book REVIVING AMERICA: HOW REPEALING OBAMACARE, REPLACING THE TAX CODE, AND REFORMING THE FED WILL RESTORE HOPE AND PROSPERITY on Amazon. You can also download the audio version of his book for free with a special trial offer at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics. You subscribe to Forbes at www.forbes.com and follow Steve Forbes on Twitter at @SteveForbesCEO.

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Bill Kristol, editor of The Weekly Standard On the GOP Primary

Mon, 14 Mar 2016 08:14:55 -0000

My guest today is Bill Kristol, founder and editor of The Weekly Standard and a political contributor to ABC’S This Week with George Stephanopalis. Just in time for the big GOP primaries in FL & OH, we talk about whether Rubio, Cruz, and Kasich may have missed chance to beat Donald Trump outright. We discuss the possibility of a brokered convention and the prospect of an alternative conservative launching a third party run. Plus we talk about Bill Kristol’s 20 year career as editor of the #1 weekly conservative publication in America.

If you enjoyed this episode then go to www.weeklystandard.com to read Bill Kristol’s op-eds and subscribe to the print or online versions of The Weekly Standard. You can also subscribe to the Weekly Standard podcast on iTunes and follow Bill on Twitter at @BillKrystol.

Please subscribe to KickAss Politics on iTunes and leave us a review. You can also help us reach our fundraising goal for this year and donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Or go to the website for the show at www.kickasspolitics.com and click on the donate button. Thanks for listening!

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Debunking Conspiracy Theories w/ Dr. Michael Shermer, Founder of Skeptic Magazine

Thu, 10 Mar 2016 10:09:34 -0000

On this episode, we tackle that special breed of whacko known as the conspiracy theorist. You've probably encountered them at a cocktail party or on your social media. They're the ones who are always carrying on about the JFK assassination or Obama's birth certificate and they say things like "that's exactly what THEY want you to believe" or "you have to connect the dots." The problem is that in most instances they're connecting "dots" that aren't there and fueling ignorance, irrationality and paranoia.

My guest today is an expert at dispelling such nonsense. He's Dr. Michael Shermer, founder & publisher of Skeptic Magazine. He also writes a monthly column for Scientific American and he's published 14 books about debunking conspiracy theories, the paranormal and pseudoscience including his newest book SKEPTIC: VIEWING THE WORLD WITH A RATIONAL EYE.

Today Dr. Michael Shermer will talk about the type of person who falls for conspiracy theories, the psychology behind conspiracy beliefs, how media figures like Alex Jones and Jesse Ventura are willing accomplices to the spreading ignorance and paranoia, and the danger of conspiratorial thinking infecting our politics. Plus he'll debunk popular conspiracies surrounding the JFK assassination, 9/11, the moon landing, vaccinations, Area 51, the death of Princess Diana, secret societies, the Denver Airport, the Sandy Hook massacre, Elvis, Obama's birth certificate, and much more.

If you enjoyed this episode, then you can follow Dr. Michael Shermer on Twitter at @michaelshermer or at www.michaelshermer.com. You can also learn more, subscribe to Skeptic Magazine and even join the Skeptic Society by visiting www.skeptic.com. You can order SKEPTIC: VIEWING THE WORLD WITH A RATIONAL EYE or any of Dr. Michael Shermer's books on Amazon.

Please subscribe to KickAss Politics on iTunes and leave us a review. You can also help us reach our fundraising goal for this year and donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Or go to the website for the show at www.kickasspolitics.com and click on the donate button. Thanks for listening!

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General Michael Hayden, Former Head of CIA & NSA

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 22:58:01 -0000

General Michael Hayden is the only person in U.S. history to have served as head of both the CIA and the NSA. General Hayden served as the Director of the National Security Agency from 1999 to 2005 where he implemented a dramatic overhaul and expansion of the agency in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks. He later serves as America's first Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and then as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency under President George W. Bush. General Hayden has written a new book called PLAYING TO THE EDGE: AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE IN THE AGE OF TERROR.

On the podcast, General Michael Hayden will give a frank assessment of the intelligence failures leading up to 9/11 and talk about what he did as NSA director and later as director of the CIA to close those intelligence gaps. We’ll discuss the conundrums of domestic surveillance, CIA black sites, and enhanced interrogation. Plus we’ll talk about cyber warfare, the Apple encryption controversy, the personal toll for the men and women who keep America’s secrets, why he says the U.S. military may have an obligation to reject orders from a President Donald Trump, his thoughts on James Bond and the TV series Homeland, and much more.

If you enjoy this episode, you can order General Michael Hayden's new book PLAYING TO THE EDGE: AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE IN THE AGE OF TERROR on Amazon. You can also download the audio version of PLAYING TO THE EDGE for free with a special 30 day trial for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics. Follow General Michael Hayden on Twitter at @GenMHayden.

Please subscribe to KickAss Politics on iTunes and leave us a review. You can also help us reach our fundraising goal for this year and donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Or go to the website for the show at www.kickasspolitics.com and click on the donate button. Thanks for listening!

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Pulitzer Prize-Winning Political Cartoonist Michael Ramirez

Fri, 04 Mar 2016 08:22:08 -0000

My guest today is two time Pulitzer Prize-winning conservative political cartoonist Michael Ramirez. His cartoons appear daily in Investor's Business Daily where he serves as co-editor and his work is also syndicated in over 550 newspapers and magazines.

He'll will talk about what makes good political satire, what’s fair game and when is "too soon." Plus we’ll discuss the very first political cartoon that he drew in college, how President Obama has been a gift comedy gods, and how one innocent drawing led to a not so friendly visit from the Secret Service.

If you enjoy this episode, you view Michael Ramirez's work each day in Investor's Business Daily at www.investors.com/cartoons. Follow him on Twitter at @Ramireztoons and you can order his new book of cartoons called GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME OBAMACARE on Amazon.

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Donald Rumsfeld On Modernizing The Military, Saddam Hussein, Snowflakes, & Churchill Solitaire

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 08:12:07 -0000

My guest is former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. In his remarkable 50 year career, he has served as a U.S. Congressman, Director of the Office Economic Opportunity and U.S. Ambassador to NATO under President Richard Nixon, White House Chief of Staff to President Gerald Ford, Special Middle East Envoy for President Ronald Reagan, and Secretary of Defense...both for Presidents Gerald Ford and George W. Bush. In fact, Donald Rumsfeld has the distinction of being both the youngest and the oldest Secretary of Defense.

Today he comes on the show to talk about the his amazing career, the current state of national defense, and the "unknown knowns" that America might be missing. Plus he'll talk about his first impression of Saddam Hussein, his favorite President, his prolific body of memos written, the issues that keep him up at night, and how Winston Churchill inspired him to create a fun new gaming app called Churchill Solitaire.

If you enjoy this episode, then be sure to go to your app store and download Churchill Solitaire for your tablet device or smart phone. You can also find out more about the Rumsfeld Foundation at www.rumsfeldfoundation.org. View the massive archive of his memos at www.papers.rumsfeld.com and be sure to order his fascinating books Knowns and Unknowns and Rumsefeld's Rules on Amazon.

Please subscribe to KickAss Politics on iTunes and leave us a review. You can also help us reach our fundraising goal for this year and donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Or go to the website for the show at www.kickasspolitics.com and click on the donate button. Thanks for listening!

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Oscar-Nominee Evgeny Afineevsky On His Documentary WINTER ON FIRE

Mon, 22 Feb 2016 09:17:42 -0000

Just in time for Oscar weekend, my guest is Evgeny Afineevsky director/producer of WINTER ON FIRE: UKRAINE'S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, which is currently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. He and his crew spent 93 days risking their lives to film the 2013/2014 Ukrainian revolution from the initial protests in Kiev's Maidan Square through the murderous government crackdown in the streets to the eventual overthrow of corrupt President Viktor Yanukovych.

We talk about what separates the Maidan demonstrations from the Arab spring and other recent revolutions, and how it can serve as a blueprint for democracy and reform around the world. We also talk about the brutality of the now disbanded Ukrainian Berkut police force and how it brought Ukrainians of all types together in unity against the corrupt and criminal government of Viktor Yanukovych. Plus Evgeny will talk about the emotional toll that making WINTER ON FIRE took on the filmmakers, and the inspiring story of one brave 12 year old boy who risked his life for freedom and his country.

If you enjoy this episode, then I encourage you to see WINTER ON FIRE: UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM. You can order it on Netflix or see it in select theatres.

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Doug Schoen, Pollster & Fox News Political Analyst, Talks About "The Nixon Effect"

Fri, 19 Feb 2016 18:43:49 -0000

Doug Schoen is Democrat pollster, campaign consultant, author, and Fox News political analyst. He pioneered overnight polling and has worked on the campaigns on Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Evan Bayh, Michael Bloomberg, Tony Blair, Silvio Berlusconi and three Israeli Prime Ministers just to name a few. He’s a regular columnist for The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and Newsmax.

He’s authored eleven books, and today he comes on the podcast to talk about his latest book THE NIXON EFFECT: HOW RICHARD NIXON’S PRESIDENCY FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED AMERICAN POLITICS. Doug makes the case that Richard Nixon was one of the most accomplished Presidents in history and the most liberal president in modern times. He’ll also talk about the profound effect that Nixon has had on the politics of the past 40 years including inventing the wedge issue, creating the “Silent Majority,” launching the GOP’s often misunderstood “Southern Strategy,” polarizing the two parties in ways we still see today, and unintentionally giving birth to the modern conservative movement.

Plus we talk about why the polling business has missed the mark in several recent high profile elections, what can be done to improve polling accuracy, and Doug’s recommendations for the most reliable public polls.

If you enjoyed this episode, then order Doug Schoen’s book THE NIXON EFFECT: HOW RICHARD NIXON’S PRESIDENCY FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED AMERICAN POLITICS on Amazon. You can follow Doug Schoen on twitter at @DouglasESchoen or at www.dougschoen.com. You can also read his regular column for Newsmax Magazine at www.newsmax.com.

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Iconic Photographer Platon On Shooting World Leaders & Human Rights

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 10:00:39 -0000

Over the years, Iconic photographer Platon has captured every living U.S. President from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama on film, and he’s photographed well over a hundred world leaders including Tony Blair, Ban Ki Moon, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mahmoud Adhmadenijad, Silvio Berlusconi, Mohamar Qaddafi, Hugo Chavez, and Vladimir Putin for the 2007 Time Man of Year cover.

His work has been featured on 20 Time Magazine covers as well as GQ, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, Esquire, New York Times Magazine, Wired, Texas Monthly, and the New Yorker Magazine, with whom he won a Peabody Award for his large scale photo essay on Russia’s Civil Society. Platon also started his own non-profit foundation called The People’s Portfolio which “aspires to create a visual language to break barriers and enlist public support human rights around the world.”

On today’s podcast, he’ll reveal some of his secrets to getting the most powerful people in the world to let their guard down, he’ll talk about the most intimidating shoot of his life (Vladimir Putin), and he’ll give the inside scoop on his now infamous cover photo of Bill Clinton for Esquire. Plus he’ll talk about his photographing the Arab Spring protests and his new mission to put a face on human rights sufferers around the world.

If you enjoy this episode, you can view Platon’s work at www.platonphoto.com or on instagram at @platon. You can find out more about the People’s Portfolio at www.thepeoplesportfolio.com.

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Mark McKinnon, Co-Host of Showtime's Political Docuseries "The Circus"

Fri, 12 Feb 2016 10:10:39 -0000

Today I talk with campaign media advisor Mark McKinnon about his new documentary series for Showtime called THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH. He co-stars with journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann of Bloomberg Politics as they follow all of the Presidential candidates as well as the campaign teams and traveling reporters. They give an inside glimpse into the stress and craziness and the ups and downs of running for the most powerful position in the world.

Mark McKinnon will talk about the break-neck pace of THE CIRCUS and how they manage to produce a political reality series in real time as well as what it's like for him going from being the ultimate campaign insider to being a member of the media following the campaigns. He'll also talk about his experience as the chief media strategist to President George W. Bush's campaigns in 2000 and 2004 and Senator John McCain in 2008. Plus he'll give his observations from the trail and predictions for 2016.

If you enjoy this episode then be sure to see Mark McKinnon in THE CIRCUS: INSIDE THE GREATEST POLITICAL SHOW ON EARTH every Sunday at 8PM EST on Showtime. You can also read his weekly column at www.thedailybeast.com and support his efforts to take money out of politics at www.mayday.us.

Please subscribe to KickAss Politics on iTunes and leave us a review. You can also help us reach our fundraising goal for this year and donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Or go to the website for the show at www.kickasspolitics.com and click on the donate button. Thanks for listening!

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Greg Barker, Director of HBO's "Homegrown: The Counter-Terrorism Dilemma"

Mon, 08 Feb 2016 10:24:47 -0000

Today I talk with filmmaker Greg Barker, who won an Emmy for his HBO documentary MANHUNT: THE UNTOLD STORY BEHIND THE HUNT FOR BIN LADEN, about his new film for HBO called HOMEGROWN: THE COUNTER-TERRORISM DILEMMA. In his latest project, he explores the threat of "self-radicalizing" terrorists right here in America through the eyes of the Deputy Directors of the National Counter Terrorism Center and the FBI's National Security Branch, as well as the family members of the Ft. Hood shooter and other U.S. citizens convicted of providing "material support to terrorism."

We talk about the film and the many aspects of the issue of homegrown terrorism including domestic surveillance, 1st Amendment rights, the availability of jihadi propaganda online, and the need for U.S. Muslims to take a more proactive role in combating that propaganda and saving young Muslim-American men from the influence of groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS.

Greg Barker's film HOMEGROWN: THE COUNTERTERRORISM DILEMMA premieres Monday, February 8 at 9PM EST on HBO.

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What's an Iowa Caucus? w/ Congressman Steve King, radio host Steve Deace, & Cody Hoefert, Co-Chair of the Iowa GOP

Mon, 01 Feb 2016 16:06:35 -0000

Today is the Iowa Caucuses when the first votes are cast in the 2016 Presidential election! But what exactly is a Caucus? And why does Iowa get to be the first? Is it different from a Primary? Does the weather really affect caucus results? Can a candidate win Iowa without loving ethanol? And what the heck is a "full Grassley?" We'll answer all of these questions and I take a comprehensive look at the Iowa Caucuses with my guests today - Congressman Steve King, nationally syndicated radio host Steve Deace, and Dr. Cody Hoefert Co-Chairman of the Iowa GOP.

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Senators Trent Lott & Tom Daschle on Fixing the Partisan Divide in Washington

Fri, 29 Jan 2016 08:58:09 -0000

For 10 years The Senate Majority Leader office traded hands between Senators Tom Daschel (Democrat) and Trent Lott (Republican). As the leaders of their respective parties in the U.S. Senate, Senator Lott and Senator Daschle often found themselves on opposite sides of an issue, but they kept things moving in the Senate and got things done for the American people by working together, showing mutual respect, and engaging in that four letter word-compromise.

Today they say that politics is getting so ugly and divisive that has nearly stalled the legislative process, because no one is willing to reach across the aisle and find common ground. They write about it in their new book, CRISIS POINT: WHY WE MUST - AND HOW WE CAN - OVERCOME OUR BROKEN POLITICS IN WASHINGTON AND ACROSS AMERICA. Today they come on the show to talk about it and offer solutions to fix the rancorous partisan divide and get Congress moving again.

If you enjoy this episode, you can click here order Tom Daschle and Trent Lott's book CRISIS POINT: WHY WE MUST - AND HOW WE CAN - OVERCOME OUR BROKEN POLITICS IN WASHINGTON AND ACROSS AMERICA on Amazon.

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Rich Lowry, Editor of National Review, on Donald Trump, Buckley, & More (Re-broadcast)

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 20:39:25 -0000

This week National Review Magazine published a special edition with the headline "Against Trump." In that issue, the editors of National Review along with 22 noted conservatives like Bill Kristol, Glenn Beck, Katie Pavlock, Michael Medved, and Dennis Prager made an impassioned plea for Republican voters not to nominate the brash real estate billionaire as the Republican nominee. They look at Donald Trump's record (including his many years as a Democrat) and make a thorough case that Donald Trump is not a credible conservative.

I'll have a new episode for you later in the week, but in light of all the media and the controversy surrounding this "Against Trump" issue of National Review, I am rebroadcasting my interview from this past December with National Review editor Rich Lowry. In it we discuss Donald Trump's worse than spotty record as a conservative, his influence on the conservative movement and his role in the GOP primary, and I'll ask Rich Lowry what his late friend and mentor William F. Buckley, Jr. might think of Trump if he were alive today. We'll also talk about the 60th Anniversary of National Review, the possibility of a Cruz-Rubio showdown, hashtag heroics in the wake of the Paris attacks, and his memories of William F. Buckley, Jr.

If you enjoy this conversation with Rich Lowry, then click here to read more and subscribe to the online or print edition of National Review Magazine. You can also go to Amazon to order Rich Lowry's books Lincoln Unbound: How an Ambitious Young Railsplitter Saved the American Dream and How We Can Do It Again, Legacy: Paying the Price for the Clinton Years, & his novel Banquo's Ghost.

Please subscribe to KickAss Politics on iTunes and leave us a review. You can also help us reach our fundraising goal for this year and donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Or go to the website for the show at www.kickasspolitics.com and click on the donate button. Thanks for listening!

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Congressman Michael McCaul, Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee

Thu, 21 Jan 2016 09:23:58 -0000

As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Congressman Michael McCaul has looked into the dark minds of America’s enemies and their most diabolical plans. In his new book FAILURES OF IMAGINATION: THE DEADLIEST THREATS TO OUR HOMELAND AND HOW TO THWART THEM, he lays out 8 horrifying scenarios for how terror groups and hostile nations might attempt to attack the U.S. The scariest part of it all is that these nightmarish situations are largely based on real intel about past, present and potential threats.

On today’s episode, we discuss everything from a North Korean cyber-attack on U.S. financial markets to terrorists releasing smallpox at Disney World or detonating a radiological bomb at the second busiest U.S. port. Chairman McCaul reveals the terrorist plots that form the basis for these theoretical attacks and what we can do to prevent them from becoming reality.

If you like this epsiode, you can order Congressman Michael McCaul’s book FAILURES OF IMAGINATION: THE DEADLIEST THREATS TO OUR HOMELAND AND HOW TO THWART THEM on Amazon or download the audio version of his book for free with a special promotion for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics.

Please subscribe to KickAss Politics on iTunes and leave us a review. You can also help us reach our fundraising goal for this year and donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Or go to the website for the show at www.kickasspolitics.com and click on the donate button. Thanks for listening!

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Criminal Justice Reform w/ Sen. Rob Portman, Julie Stewart & Jeff Smith

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 13:10:51 -0000

In today's episode, I explore the areas where America's prisons are failing society and the growing call for sensible, results-based criminal justice reform. My guests are Senator Rob Portman, author of the Second Chance Act, Julie Stewart president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, and Jeff Smith, author of Mr. Smith Goes to Prison: What Me Year Behind Bars Taught Me About America's Prison Crisis.

In the first part, Jeff Smith will recount his eye-opening year in federal prison, and what he saw personally about how the prison system is failing to rehabilitate criminals, destroying families, and in many ways, financially crippling the most vulnerable Americans. Then I'll talk with Julie Stewart, founder and president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, about how sentencing discretion has been taken away from judges, filling our prisons will non-violent offenders. Finally, I'll talk with Senator Rob Portman of Ohio who authored The Second Chance Act and has been a leader on the Hill on the issue of criminal justice reform. He'll explain how innovative programs like the Second Chance Act are doing a better job of reforming and rehabilitating criminals by giving them a shot at a better life.

If you enjoy this episode, visit the website for Families Against Mandatory Minimums at www.famm.org or follow Julie Stewart on Twitter at @julieonjustice. Encourage your Congressman or Senator to support the re-authorization of the Second Chance Act and get involved with a local Prisoner Re-Entry Task Force in your county. You can order Jeff Smith's book Mr. Smith Goes to Prison: What Me Year Behind Bars Taught Me About America's Prison Crisis on Amazon or download the audio version of his book for free with a special promotion for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics.

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(Rebroadcast) Part 2: The Political Genius of George Washington

Fri, 08 Jan 2016 06:49:56 -0000

Ben is sick this week, but he'll be back with a brand new episode on Monday. In the meantime, enjoy this rebroadcast. In part 2 of The Political Genius of George Washington, I'll talk again with author and historian John Ferling about motivated George Washington to run for President, what motivated him to leave the office after two terms and what he might think of the political climate today.

If you enjoyed this episode, then please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review on Itunes for a chance to win Ben's book of the week. All you have to do to enter is subscribe and leave a review. For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like show your support then donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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(Rebroadcast) Part 1: The Political Genius of George Washington

Fri, 08 Jan 2016 06:46:20 -0000

Ben is sick this week, but he'll be back with a brand new episode on Monday. In the meantime, enjoy this rebroadcast. In this episode, I'll talk with author and historian John Ferling about the hidden political genius of our first President.

If you enjoyed this episode, then please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review on Itunes for a chance to win Ben's book of the week. All you have to do to enter is subscribe and leave a review. For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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(Rebroadcast) Pt. 2: E.M.P. - The Day the Earth Stood Still w/ guest Dr. Peter Vincent Pry

Fri, 08 Jan 2016 06:38:44 -0000

Ben is a little sick this week, but he'll be back with a new episode on Monday. In the meantime, enjoy this rebroadcast of Part 2 of his expose on E.M.P.

In Part 1 on E.M.P. or the phenomenon known as an electromagnetic pulse, guest Dr. Peter Vincent Pry (director of the Task Force on National & Homeland Security) warned that an electromanetic pulse, either caused naturally by a solar flare or by a high altitude nuclear detonation by our enemies, has the ability disable the entire U.S. electric grid and send Americans right back to a time before electricity. And not just for weeks or months but for years. The scariest part is that right now, the U.S. is completely unprepared and defenseless against an E.M.P. We are a sitting duck.

In Part 2, Dr. Peter Vincent Pry will discuss why the U.S. government refuses to take the neccessary steps to protect the grid against an E.M.P. attack, the powerful lobby that is behind a misinformation campaign in the media designed to convince you that E.M.P. isn't even real, and how some states aren't waiting around for the Feds to act but instead are protecting their citizens against the very real threat of an electromagnetic pulse.

If you enjoyed this episode, then please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review for a chance to win Ben's book of the week. For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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(Rebroadcast) Pt. 1: E.M.P. - The Day the Earth Stood Still w/ guest Dr. Peter Vincent Pry

Fri, 08 Jan 2016 06:35:14 -0000

Ben is a little sick this week, but he'll be back with a new episode on Monday. In the meantime, enjoy this rebroadcast on E.M.P.

If you have heard of an electromagnetic pulse at all, it's probably from sci-fi movies like The Matrix or novels, but an E.M.P. is not science fiction. E.M.P. is a real scientific phenomenon that has the ability to destroy not just every single electronic in your home, but the entire U.S. electric grid. It has happened before and will almost certainly happen again. But next time, it may not be a natural E.M.P. from a solar flare. It very well may be a man-made E.M.P. from a nuclear warhead detonated at a high altitude by one of America's enemies like North Korea or Iran. And the scariest part is that right now the U.S. is entirely defenseless against an E.M.P. attack. E.M.P. expert Dr. Peter Vincent Pry will explain what an E.M.P. is, how bad the devastation would be, and which countries have weaponized E.M.P. with the intention of using them against the United States.

If you enjoyed this episode, then please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review for a chance to win Ben's book of the week. All you have to do to enter is subscribe and leave a review. For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Daniel Pipes, President of the Middle East Forum on Radical Islam

Wed, 30 Dec 2015 19:07:42 -0000

My guest today is one of the leading scholars on the Middle East and Middle East history. He's Daniel Pipes, president of the Middle East Forum and publisher of Middle East Quarterly. Prior to that he was appointed to the Board of the U.S. Insitute for Peace by President George W. Bush, and he served as director of the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

He says it is Islamists, not Muslims, who represent an existential threat to Israel and the West. He says America should support moderate Muslims and reform in the Middle East, but he also says that real change will come from a brewing ideological civil war between moderate Muslims and radical Islamists who promote Sharia law and the goal of a worldwide Caliphate. We also discuss which group the U.S. should be supporting in Syria, new signs of hope for an uprising by moderates in Iran, the new authoritarianism in Turkey, a three state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the rise of Islam in Europe, and ISIS inspired attacks in the U.S.

You can read more about the Middle East Forum at www.meforum.org or follow him at www.danielpipes.org or on Twitter at @DanielPipes.

If you enjoy this episode, then please subscribe to KickAss Politics on iTunes and leave us a review. You can also help us reach our fundraising goal for this year and donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Or go to the website for the show at www.kickasspolitics.com and click on the donate button. Thanks for listening!

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Rich Lowry, Editor of National Review on William F. Buckley, Trump as Jacksonian, Hashtag Heroics, & More

Wed, 09 Dec 2015 08:30:00 -0000

In 1955, a 30-year-old conservative intellectual named William F. Buckley Jr. founded National Review magazine. Since then it has become the most widely read and influential magazine for conservative news, commentary, and opinion.

In honor of the 60th Anniversary of National Review, my guest is editor of National Review Rich Lowry. You've also seen him as a regular political commentator on Fox News, The McGlaughlin Group, and NBC'S Meet the Press.

On the podcast, we talk about his late mentor William F. Buckley Jr., National Review's role in the the future of the conservative movement, and his first job out of college working as a research assistant for Dr. Charles Krauthammer. Rich Lowry also discusses Donald Trump as a populist in the mold of Andrew Jackson and his theory about an eventual two man GOP primary between Cruz and Rubio. Plus Rich vents about our mutual pet-peeve - shallow gestures of social media solidarity like #PrayforParis or #IamCharlie.

If you enjoy this conversation with Rich Lowry, then click here to read more and subscribe to the online or print edition of National Review magazine. You can also go to Amazon to order Rich Lowry's books Lincoln Unbound: How an Ambitious Young Railsplitter Saved the American Dream and How We Can Do It Again, Legacy: Paying the Price for the Clinton Years, & his novel Banquo's Ghost.

And before you do your online shopping for the holidays, visit our site at www.kickasspolitics.com and click on the Amazon link on our sponsor page. If you do that then Amazon will donate a portion of your holiday purchases to help support the podcast. It won’t cost you anything extra. Just do your holiday shopping for books, clothes, jewelry, electronics, etc. on Amazon, and your purchase will help keep us up and running here at KickAss Politics.

Another very important way that you can support the show is by helping us reach our end of the year fundraising goal before Christmas. Please donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics or click on the donate button on our website. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and leave us a glowing review. Thanks for listening!

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Garry Kasparov Warns That Vladimir Putin Is The Enemy of the Free World

Fri, 04 Dec 2015 11:00:00 -0000

My guest today is the Garry Kasparov. For 20 years he was the World Chess Champion and is widely considered to the greatest chess master of all time. Then in 2005, he retired from chess to become a political activist in his native country of Russia.

He has since become the most vocal and high profile critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2008, he even ran for President against Putin’s hand-picked successor Dimitri Medvedev until being forced out of the election due to rampant corruption and election fraud by pro-Putin forces in Russia. Today Garry Kasparov is in self-imposed exile in New York, where he serves as chairman of the Human Rights Foundation and continues to call for reform in Russia and an end to the corruption and oppression of Vladimir Putin.

He has a new book called WINTER IS COMING: WHY VLADIMIR PUTIN AND THE ENEMIES OF THE FREE WORLD MUST BE STOPPED. He says Vladimir Putin is no longer just Russia’s problem and he could pose a serious threat to world peace and free countries everywhere. Kasparov says talks about Russia’s rocky path to democratic reform in the 1990’s and the factors that made it easy for Vladimir Putin to quickly begin to roll back freedoms in Russia and consolidate his power. Kasparov says that Putin is a ruthless dictator with disturbing parallels to Adolf Hitler, and he will hold on to power at all costs. Plus, just wait until you hear what he says Vladimir Putin may do if energy prices plummet. It’s a wake-up call to the free world with my guest Garry Kasparov.

If you enjoy this episode then you can order Garry Kasparov’s new book WINTER IS COMING: WHY VLADIMIR PUTIN AND THE ENEMIES OF THE FREE WORLD MUST BE STOPPED on Amazon. You can also download the audiobook for free thanks to a special promotion for our listeners at www.audible.com/kickasspolitics. You can also follow Garry Kasparov at www.kasparov.com or at Twitter at @kasparov63.

And before you do your online shopping for the holidays, visit our site at www.kickasspolitics.com and click on the Amazon link on our sponsor page. If you do that then Amazon will donate a portion of your holiday purchases to help support the podcast. It won’t cost you anything extra. Just do your holiday shopping for books, clothes, jewelry, electronics, etc. on Amazon, and your purchase will help keep us up and running here at KickAss Politics.

Another very important way that you can support the show is by helping us reach our end of the year fundraising goal before Christmas. Please donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics or click on the donate button on our website. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and leave us a glowing review. Thanks for listening!

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Karl Rove on William McKinley & Why the Election of 1896 Still Matters

Tue, 01 Dec 2015 09:38:34 -0000

This is officially the 50th episode of KickAss Politics, and we’re celebrating with Karl Rove! He’s a Fox News political contributor and writes a weekly op-ed for the Wall Street Journal. He was the Senior Advisor to the President George W. Bush and Deputy White House Chief of Staff. As Bush’s chief political strategist, Karl Rove masterminded the successful Bush/Cheney campaigns in 2000 and 2004 as well as the historic 2002 midterm election earning him the nickname “The Architect.”

Today he comes on the podcast to talk about his new book THE TRIUMPH OF WILLIAM MCKINLEY: WHY THE ELECTION OF 1896 STILL MATTERS. We talk about why 1896 was a crucial turning point for America, how the McKinley campaign invented many of the campaign tactics still used today, and how McKinely waged the first truly national campaign…all from his front porch of his house in Canton, Ohio. Plus Karl will highlight some uncanny similarities between the election of 1896 and the current political environment leading up to 2016, and he’ll draw some important lessons for those candidates running in the GOP primary right now.

If you enjoy this episode, you can order Karl Rove’s book THE TRIUMPH OF WILLIAM MCKINLEY: WHY THE ELECTION OF 1896 STILL MATTERS on Amazon. You can get the audio version of his book, narrated for free with a special offer for our listeners at www.audible.com/kickasspolitics.

Another very important way that you can support the show is by helping us reach our end of the year fundraising goal before Christmas. Please donate at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics or click on the donate button on our website. If you enjoyed this 50th episode of KickAss Politics, then please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and leave us a glowing review. Thanks for listening!

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Brian Kilmeade, Co-Host of "Fox & Friends" on Thomas Jefferson & America's First War w/ Radical Islam

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 07:33:24 -0000

Brian Kilmeade is the co-host of Fox News morning show Fox & Friends and host of his own national radio show called Kilmeade & Friends. He's the co-author of the bestseller GEORGE WASHINGTON’S SECRET SIX, and new he and his co-author Don Yaegar have a new book on a often over-looked chapter in American History. The book is called THOMAS JEFFERSON AND THE TRIPOLI PIRATES: THE FORGOTTEN WAR THAT CHANGED AMERICAN HISTORY.

200 years before Al-Qauda or ISIS, a young America led by Thomas Jefferson, took a stand against radical Islam and first asserted herself as a world power. Brian Kilmeade will talk about how the Barbary Wars saved the U.S. economy and how Thomas Jefferson was a reluctant "hawk" who chose to flex America’s military might rather than pay extortion money the pirates who prayed on U.S. ships in the Mediterranean Sea. Plus we'll discuss the war as a defining moment for new U.S. Navy and the Marines, our first attempt at regime change, and some very important lessons for America's modern day war on radical islam.

If you enjoy this episode, you can order Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaegar's book THOMAS JEFFERSON AND THE TRIPOLI PIRATES: THE FORGOTTEN WAR THAT CHANGED AMERICAN HISTORY from Amazon.com or you can even get a signed and inscribed book if you order at www.briankilmeade.com. Or you can get the audio book for free with a special offer for our listeners at www.audible.com/kickasspolitics.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please help us reach our fall fundraising goal & donate to the show at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Also, we’d appreciate it if you would take our listener survey to give us an idea of who our audience is at http://www.podtrac.com/audience/start-survey.aspx?pubid=VaSxWQpFs7xV&ver=short

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The Young Turks - Cenk Uygur, Ana Kasparian, & John Iadarola

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 22:00:17 -0000

With over 2 billion views on YouTube, The Young Turks has become the largest online news show in the world. Every day, an average of a million and a half people watch The Young Turks or one of many programs from The Young Turks Network.

On today's podcast, I visit the Young Turks Studio in Culver City, California to talk with TYT founder Cenk Uygur as well as Ana Kasparian (co-host of The Young Turks) and John Iadarola (co-host of TYT's Think Tank). We'll talk about the future of news in the digital age and why TYT's irreverent mix of political news and entertainment has caught on with millennials. Plus will talk about TYT's 99 hour filibuster of a Supreme Court nominee, Trump on SNL, the American immigrant experience, and much more with The Young Turks.

You can check out The Young Turks on YouTube or at www.tytnetwork.com.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please help us reach our fall fundraising goal & donate to the show at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Also, we’d appreciate it if you would take our listener survey to give us an idea of who our audience is at http://www.podtrac.com/audience/start-survey.aspx?pubid=VaSxWQpFs7xV&ver=short

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The Rise & Reign of Vladimir Putin w/ guest Steven Lee Myers

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:00:00 -0000

Forbes Magazine recently announced their annual list of the most powerful people in the world, and for the third year in a row, they chose Russian President Vladimir Putin as #1. In explaining why Putin was picked as the most powerful person in the world for the 3rd year in a row, Forbes said “Russia's president continues to prove he's one of the few men in the world powerful enough to do what he wants --and get away with it.”

Putin has been described as cold, enigmatic, calculating, ruthless, and even megalomaniacal, but in this episode we go beyond the comic book villain idea of Vladimir Putin with my guest Steven Lee Myers. He’s been a reporter for the New York Times for 26 years, spending 7 of those years in Russia and part of that time as Moscow bureau chief during the period when Putin consolidated his power.

He’s recently written the most extensive biography to date on Valdimir Putin called “The New Tsar: The Rise and Reign of Vladimir Putin.” Today we’ll talk about Putin’s early life in the KGB, how he quickly rose from obscurity to Russian Prime Minister in less than 4 years, what drives him, how he views the west, and what his end game is.

If you enjoy this episode then order Steven Lee Myers new book “THE NEW TSAR: THE RISE AND REIGN OF VLADIMIR PUTIN” on Amazon.

Or you can download the audio version of this book for free with a special promotion for our listeners at www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics for a free 30 day trial and a free audio book download,

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Rebroadcast: Reagan's "A TIME FOR CHOOSING" speech w/ guest Dr. Steven F. Hayward

Sat, 07 Nov 2015 21:32:33 -0000

This is a rebroadcast of an episode that aired in November 2014 celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ronald Reagan's famous "A Time for Choosing" speech.

In the final days of the 1964 Presidential election, actor Ronald Reagan gave a 30 minute televised speech in support of Republican Barry Goldwater. Goldwater lost by a landslide, but Reagan's "A Time for Choosing," later known simply as "The Speech," put Ronald Reagan on the road to the White House and defined the Conservative movement ever since. On the 50th anniversary of Reagan's "A Time for Choosing," I'll talk with political scholar and Reagan biographer Dr. Steven F. Hayward about the lasting impact that "The Speech" had on Ronald Reagan's political career and Republican party.

If you enjoyed this episode, then please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review on Itunes for a chance to win Ben's book of the week. All you have to do to enter is subscribe and leave a review. For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Bob Woodward on Nixon & The Last of the President's Men

Wed, 04 Nov 2015 11:00:00 -0000

My guest on this podcast is Bob Woodward. Together with fellow reporter Carl Bernstein, he tied the Watergate break-in to the Nixon White House in 1972, bringing down President Richard Nixon and earning the first of two Pulitzer Prizes for the Washington Post. Today he remains associate editor at the Washington Post and has authored a dozen #1 Best-Sellers on the New York Times Nonfiction list.

He comes on the show to talk about his new book "THE LAST OF THE PRESIDENT'S MEN" which chronicles the White House career of Alexander Butterfield, who served as deputy assistant to President Nixon. Through countless documents and hours of interviews, Butterfield gave Bob Woodward a revealing glimpse into the disfunction, paranoia, and corruption in the Nixon White House. Woodward talks about how Alex Butterfield oversaw the installation of the infamous taping machine in the Oval Office and served as the right-hand man to Nixon Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman. We'll talk about the isolated world of Richard Nixon, Nixon's relationship with his wife and with Henry Kissinger, Nixon's awkward though likely unconsummated flirtations with White House secretaries, and the chip on Nixon's shoulder that haunted him his entire life. Plus we'll talk about the man known as "Deep Throat."

If you enjoy this episode, then go to Amazon to order Bob Woodward's fascinating new book "THE LAST OF THE PRESIDENT'S MEN." Or if you want to download the audio version, go to www.audibletrial.com/kickasspolitics to get your free 30 day trial and a free audio book download of "THE LAST OF THE PRESIDENT'S MEN."

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please help us reach our fall fundraising goal & donate to the show at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Also, we’d appreciate it if you would take our listener survey to give us an idea of who our audience is at http://www.podtrac.com/audience/start-survey.aspx?pubid=VaSxWQpFs7xV&ver=short

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Fred Barnes & Mort Kondracke from Fox News' "The Beltway Boys" on Jack Kemp, 2016 & Tonight's GOP Debate

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 09:18:05 -0000

My guests today are Fred Barnes and Mort Kondracke. Fred Barnes is the co-founder and executive editor of The Weekly Standard and Mort Kondracke served as the executive editor of Roll Call and former Washington bureau chief for Newsweek. For over ten years, they co-hosted the popular weekly political show The Beltway Boys on Fox News. Today they still regularly appear as political commentators on Fox News, and they recently teamed up to write the first ever biography exploring the legacy of the late Congressman, quarterback and self-proclaimed bleeding heart conservative, Jack Kemp.

According to them, Jack Kemp may well have been the most important American politician who never made it to the White House and in their words, he’s a model of how politics ought to be. We’ll talk about how Jack Kemp’s pro-football career influenced his leadership style, and how he became the backbone behind President Ronald Reagan’s economic policy. We’ll also discuss his crusade to help America’s underprivileged and bring African Americans BACK to the party of Lincoln. Plus Fred Barnes and Mort Kondracke will explain why the next speaker of the House may be the natural political heir Jack Kemp, plus Kemp on Trump, the turn in Jeb Bush’s political fortunes, what to look for in tonight’s 3rd Republican debate.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please help us reach our fall fundraising goal & donate to the show at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Also, we’d appreciate it if you would take our listener survey to give us an idea of who our audience is at http://www.podtrac.com/audience/start-survey.aspx?pubid=VaSxWQpFs7xV&ver=short

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Congresswoman Michele Bachmann on Tax Reform, the Tea Party, & America's Role in the World

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 19:02:16 -0000

My guest in this podcast is former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. From 2007 until just this year, she represented Minnesota’s 7th district in Congress and in 2012 Michele Bachmann ran for the Republican nomination for President. In Congress, she served on the House Financial Services Committee and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence which oversees the CIA, the NSA, and other intelligence agencies. She has been a strong supporter of the Tea Party movement from it’s earliest days and founded the House Tea Party Caucus when she was in Congress.

On this podcast, she’ll talk about the Tea Party’s role in the Republican party today and her thoughts on the GOP field in 2016. As a former tax attorney, she’ll also share her ideas on how to simplify the tax code, and talk about her grave concerns about Russia, Iran, and Syria, and America’s shrinking role in the world under President Obama. Plus she’ll reveal how one of her foster children’s 11th grade homework assignment led to her career politics.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please help us reach our fall fundraising goal & donate to the show at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Also, we’d appreciate it if you would take our listener survey to give us an idea of who our audience is at http://www.podtrac.com/audience/start-survey.aspx?pubid=VaSxWQpFs7xV&ver=short

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Mike Pesca, Host of Slate's The Gist

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 09:44:58 -0000

Mike Pesca hosts Slate's The Gist podcast 5 days a week and he's a weekly panelist on Slate's Hang Up & Listen podcast. Before that he was a national desk correspondent for NPR covering sports, culture and politics. He's won two Edward R. Murrow Awards for Excellence in Electronic Journalism, and he has a loyal following of fans who tune in daily to heir his "spiel" of the day.

Today, he'll talk about the House Speakers race, money in politics, and the filibuster. Plus he'll go off on his one man boycott of Starbucks, The Tea Party and his disdain for the phrase "no problem."

If you enjoyed this episode then check out Mike Pesca's weekday podcast called Slate's The Gist. You can listen on iTunes or go to www.slate.com

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please help us reach our fall fundraising goal by donating at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Also, we’d appreciate it if you would take our listener survey to give us an idea of who our audience is and what you want.

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Curator of the International Spy Museum Dr. Vincent Houghton on the story behind BRIDGE OF SPIES and more

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 09:42:06 -0000

Just in time for BRIDGE OF SPIES, Dr. Vincent Houghton comes on the show. Vince is historian and curator of the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC and host of SPYCAST, a popular weekly podcast covering all things espionage.

On today's show, he'll talk about the true story and the real people behind the U-2 spy plane incident and the movie BRIDGE OF SPIES. Plus he'll talk about the greatest spy who ever lived, Cold War espionage, America's spy history from the Revolutionary War through the CIA, and he'll reveal some of the coolest spy gadgets in the collection at the International Spy Museum.

You can learn more about the International Spy Museum by going to www.spymuseum.org, and be sure to check out Vince's podcast on iTunes called SpyCast.

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David Axelrod On The President, Hillary Clinton, & Why He's Still A Believer After 40 Years in Politics

Tue, 13 Oct 2015 09:34:42 -0000

David Axelrod joins me on the show from Politicon in Los Angeles. In his 40 year career in politics, he has advised over 150 Democrat campaigns. He's the campaign wizard behind President Barack Obama's victories in 2008 and 2012 and he served in the White House as Senior Advisor to the President. Today he's founder and director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago and he now has his own podcast called The Axe Files.

On the podcast, he talks about his very first campaign, his early days covering notorious Chicago politics for the Tribune, his 23 year friendship with Barack Obama,
and his love of the political process. We also discuss the healthcare act and the president’s relationship with Israel. Plus he reveals why he almost sat out the 2008 election, why he shaved his mustache and at least one reason why he says Donald Trump isn’t so bad.

If you enjoy this episode, be sure to subscribe to David's new political podcast The Axe Files on iTunes. You can also purchase his fascinating and insightful autobiography BELIEVER: MY FORTY YEARS IN POLITICS on Amazon.

And if you're a young person looking at colleges and considering a career in politics, consider the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago. David Axelrod is the founder and director of the Institute. Face it, whether you're a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent, if you're aspiring to a career in politics, you'd be hard pressed to find a better teacher than David Axelrod! Click here to learn more.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please help us reach our fall fundraising goal by donating at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Also, we’d appreciate it if you would take our listener survey to give us an idea of who our audience is and what you want.

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Michael Reagan On Why Conservatives Need To Stop Looking For The Next Ronald Reagan

Mon, 05 Oct 2015 09:53:52 -0000

Following the Reagan Library Republican debate, I talk with conservative author, radio host, and speaker, Michael Reagan. He also happens to be the son of the late President Ronald Reagan. He says the 2016 GOP candidates need to stop trying to imitate his father and repackage the Reagan legacy to better match their own political brands. Instead they should embody Reagan's spirit and his leadership qualities.

He says if conservatives want to win in 2016, they need to focus on the future of the party instead of looking back nostalgically to the 80's and the Reagan era. He also says that many conservatives seem to misunderstand Ronald Reagan and he questions whether the icon of the conservative movement could get elected in the era of the tea party and strict insistence on conservative "purity" from less moderate factions of the Republican Party. Plus for the first time, Michael Reagan will tell the story of how the morning after losing the 1976 Republican nomination to President Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan's major backers tried to convince him to run against Gerald Ford as an independent candidate and he'll tell us why his father turned them down.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Also, we’d appreciate it if you would take our listener survey to give us an idea of who our audience is and what you want.

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ISIS's War on Cultural Heritage & the Modern Day Monuments Men Fighting to Stop Them

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 08:36:34 -0000

In the past month, the murder of a Syrian Archeologist by ISIS terrorists and their senseless destruction of two temples at the UNESCO World Heritage site at Palmyra sent shockwaves through the archeological community,
and drew media attention to what very well may be the biggest threat to the word’s shared cultural heritage since World War II. The maniacs of the so called Islamic State are blowing up historic monuments and looting and selling priceless ancient antiquities in what is now their second biggest revenue source only behind oil.

In this podcast I talk with the men who are leading the charge to rescue some of the most important treasures of the ancient world before it’s too late. Dr. Amr Al Azm who served as Director of Scientific and Conservation Laboratories at the General Department of Antiquities and Museums in Syria and as Head of the Centre for Archaeological Research at the University of Damascus. Now he’s an associate professor of Middle Eastern history and anthropology at Shawnee State University in Ohio, and he’s chairman of the Syrian Opposition’s Heritage Task Force. Then I talk with Roger Michel Jr. He’s the founder and executive director of the Institute for Digital Archeology, which is using some high tech gadgets to catalogue ancient monuments and artifacts in hope of recovering and restoring them one day for future generations.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Also, we’d appreciate it if you would take our listener survey to give us an idea of who our audience is and what you want.

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Cuba Under Castro w/ guests Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado & author Carlos Eire

Sat, 12 Sep 2015 10:34:30 -0000

Following President Obama’s decision to normalize relations with Cuba and re-open the U.S. embassy in Havana, I talk with two men who bore witness the brutality and economic collapse of Cuba under Fidel Castro. They both escaped to the U.S. as young boys, but their fathers weren’t so lucky, and they’ll tell their stories in today’s episode.

My first guest is Carlos Eire. Today he’s a history and religion professor at Yale University and a best-selling author who won the 2003 National Book Award for his memoirs, WAITING FOR SNOW IN HAVANA: CONFESSIONS OF A CUBAN BOY, which he followed up with LEARNING TO DIE IN MIAMI: CONFESSIONS OF A REFUGEE BOY.

And in the second half of the podcast, I’ll talk with Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado. After coming to America as kid, he became a broadcast journalist at the spanish-language network Univision and the first Cuban-American member of the White House Press Corps. Now Tomas Regalado is Mayor of the city Miami, and he is personally dealing with the aftermath of Obama’s Cuba policy as it affects his constituents in “Little Havana,” home to the largest group of Cuban exiles in America.

We’ll take an honest look at the cost of throwing away 53 years of U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba and caving to the world’s last communist dictator.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics. Also, we’d appreciate it if you would take our listener survey to give us an idea of who our audience is and what you want.

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Senator Lindsey Graham on the Iran Nuclear Deal, Running for President, & Trump

Tue, 08 Sep 2015 09:13:12 -0000

Just in time for the Senate debate over President Obama's nuclear deal with Iran, Senator Lindsey Graham comes on the show to talk about why the deal is bad for America & the Middle East and how he intends to prevent Iran from getting a nuke. Plus we talk about the GOP primary, Trump, and the advice Senator John McCain gave him about running for President.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Millennials & the 2016 Election w/ Pollster Kristin Soltis Anderson

Thu, 27 Aug 2015 09:36:12 -0000

Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson is founding partner at the polling firm Echelon Insights. She's also the co-host of the political podcast The Pollsters and author of a new book called The Selfie Vote: Where Millennials Are Leading America (and How Republicans Can Keep Up).

She'll talk about what separates millennials from previous generations and how their values and priorities are shaping their politics. Kristen warns that if Republicans write off millennials now, they may never get them back. She'll outline a plan for winning young voters with a conservative message that addresses their priorities and relates to their values. Then she'll talk about who in the 2016 field "gets it" and who doesn't. Plus she'll share some broader polling data on the Trump phenomenon, the Hillary email scandal, and the issues that may drive the 2016 election.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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The End of Doom with Ronald Bailey, Science Writer for REASON Magazine

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 04:51:43 -0000

My guest today is Ronald Bailey. He's an award-winning science journalist for Reason Magazine and an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute. In his new book THE END OF DOOM: ENVIRONMENTAL RENEWAL IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY, he says the sky ISN'T falling, and in fact, the world is becoming safer, cleaner, and healthier than ever before. On this podcast, he'll present the proponderance of scientific data debunking a wide range of environmental alarmist myths about overpopulation, world hunger, the "energy crisis," GMOs & pesticides, deforestation, the "cancer epidemic," endangered species, and more.

He'll reveal how activists parading as "scientists" completely ignore the scientific method and overwhelming data when it contradicts their wild theories. Why? Because sensational predictions of environmental apocalypse and misinformation campaigns against things like vaccination mask a radically anti-capitalist agenda, and doom has become a powerful fundraising tool for some of the world's biggest environmental organizations. Plus Ron Bailey will argue for a rational, measured approach to climate change and explain how the FDA is killing millions more people than it helps by delaying life-saving drugs from hitting the market.

If you enjoyed listening to this episode then please subscribe to "KickAss Politics with Ben Mathis" on iTunes so you'll receive new episodes as they become available. For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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THE CONSERVATIVE HEART w/ Author Arthur C. Brooks, President of the American Enterprise Institute

Tue, 18 Aug 2015 11:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the preview station for KickAss Politics with Ben Mathis! My guest today is Arthur C. Brooks, best-selling conservative author and president of the American Enterprise Institute. He has a new book called THE CONSERVATIVE HEART: HOW TO BUILD A FAIRER, HAPPIER, AND MORE PROSPEROUS AMERICA. He says conservatives need to stop just being against things and start being FOR people. He talks about his journey to from a french horn player and a liberal ex-patriot living in Barcelona to economist, best-selling conservative author and head of A.E.I. He believes conservatives must become better at delivering their message and relating to everyday Americans if they're going to grow the party and he has some advice for the 2016 candidates. He also says Republicans need to correct the impression that they are against entitlements and a social safety net and they need to make fighting poverty and lifting up people a moral priority.

This is just a sample episode as part of the KickAss Politics preview station. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, there are many more episodes at our main iTunes station at "KickAss Politics with Ben Mathis.” Just go to the link below, then click “View in iTunes” and “Subscribe.”

https://itun.es/i6Sq5Vn

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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A Governor, a Speechwriter & the Scandal That Became a Trainwreck w/ guest Barton Swaim

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 23:46:55 -0000

In the summer of 2009, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford was a darling of the Tea Party and a leading contender for the GOP nomination in 2012 until it all came crashing down in a bizarre sex scandal and an even more bizarre attempt at "damage control." His speechwriter Barton Swaim had a front row seat for the fiasco and he writes about it in his new book THE SPEECHWRITER: A BRIEF POLITICAL EDUCATION.

He'll discuss the scandal as a case study in how NOT to do damage control. He'll also talk about the former Governor's legendary cheapness, his obsession with Rosa Parks, and what it's like to be a speechwriter for a politician who loves bad writing. Plus Barton will talk about what it's like to work in the political spin room and his observations about politicians in general.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Former Israeli Ambassador Danny Ayalon On The Iran Nuke Deal & Israel

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 10:00:00 -0000

Welcome to the preview station for KickAss Politics with Ben Mathis! In the last podcast, we covered the broad strokes of President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran as well as the ramifications of this deal for the Middle East and for U.S. diplomacy. In today’s podcast, we’ll focus on the one who has the most to lose in this deal - Israel. Today’s guest is Danny Ayalon. He’s the former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. and served as the Deputy Foreign Minister under the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He’ll discuss what the Iran deal means for Israel, how it may lead to some surprising alliances with Israel’s Arab neighbors, and we’ll discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu’s next move.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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The Iran Nuke Deal w/ guest Michael Rubin, Middle East Scholar at the American Enterprise Institute

Sun, 16 Aug 2015 23:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, we'll look at just what's in President Obama's nuclear agreement with Iran and what it means for U.S. prestige, Israel, and the Middle East. Will it set Iran on a path torward a nuclear bomb? Will it set off a nuclear arms race among other Middle East nations? Will it set a dangerous precedent in U.S. foreign policy. We'll discuss all of this with Michael Rubin. He's a former Pentagon official specializing in Iran and a Middle East scholar with the American Enterprise Insititute. He has written extensively on the subject of rogue regimes and Iran's nuclear ambitions, and he'll explain why this deal is not something to celebrate.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Bruce Carlson, Host of MY HISTORY CAN BEAT UP YOUR POLITICS

Sun, 16 Aug 2015 10:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, I talk with Bruce Carlson, the host of the very popular podcast "My History Can Beat Up Your Politics." Bruce takes the politics of today and puts it into larger historical context for listeners. He says knowledge of the political history of America is key to putting political devleopments into perspective, controlling heated partisanship, and creating better and more informed voters. He'll share historical precedents for the 2016 election, give us a crash course in the "Lyndon Johnson treatment," discuss his favorite "what ifs" in American history, and give his two cents on the decision to knock Alexander Hamilton off the $10 bill.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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John Tamny, Editor of RealClearMarkets.com & Author of Popular Economics

Sat, 15 Aug 2015 11:00:00 -0000

Today's guest is John Tamny. He is the editor of RealClearMarkets.com and the political economy editor at Forbes Magazine. He’s got new book called Popular Economics: What the Rolling Stones, Downton Abbey, and LeBron James Can Teach You About Economics. He’ll pull back to the curtain to explain how economics is one of the simplest and most basic disciplines to understand because according to him everyone is an economist. He’ll explain how the Dallas Cowboys, and Paris Hilton are excellent examples of good and bad tax policy. And how Monday Night Football and HBO's The Sopranos reveal the downside of anti-trust regulation. He'll also explain why the U.S. should eliminate the dividend tax, why Americans should embrace free trade, and why he thinks it's time for us to go back to the gold standard.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Dr. Ben Carson On The Debate, His Vision For America & His Journey From Surgeon To Candidate

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 00:25:40 -0000

Famed neurosurgeon, author and now Presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson comes on the podcast to talk about the GOP debate, his suprising political ascent, the issues that matter most to him, and some of the life lessons he's picked up along the way. He'll tell us how his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast two years ago and his subsquent political rise interrupted his plan for a quiet retirement and why he feels compelled to run for office for the first time in his life. Plus Dr. Carson will talk about what it's like to be the only vegetarian in the GOP Presidential field, how American's can improve their health, and how a fit of rage when he was a boy almost turned into a tragedy and changed the course of his life.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Senator Mike Lee on Our Lost Constitution

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 00:10:23 -0000

Does it seem like America is straying farther from the original framework designed by our Founding Fathers? Does it seem like the Federal government is increasingly encroaching on the rights of individuals and the states? Do you think the President is expanding the powers of the Executive Branch into dangerous Constitutional territory?

If so, then you are not alone. Senator Mike Lee says he's spent the past 4 years in the U.S. Senate getting a crash course in how politicians, judges, and bureaucrats are slowly wittling away at the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. He says we're entering a period of Constitutional Crisis and he discusses it in his new book, OUR LOST CONSTITUTION: THE WILLFULL SUBVERSION OF AMERICA'S FOUNDING DOCUMENT. He's coming on the podcast to talk about our Constitutional origins, how we've strayed so far from them, and how we can get them back. Plus he'll tell us why Senator Harry Reid once locked him in a garage! It's a true story.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Grover Norquist Says It's Time to END the IRS

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 00:05:27 -0000

Did you know that many of the 13 colonies were founded as tax havens from the British? Or that our Founding Fathers declared independence from Britain because King George wanted to raise the 1-2% on colonial Americans to 3-4%? Compare that to the 33% income tax that the average American pays today! Did you know that the tax on your telephone calls was originally intended to be a "temporary tax" to pay for the Spanish-American War over 100 years ago?

How did taxes get so out of control between 1776 and now? Grover Norquist, president and founder of Americans for Tax Reform has a new book called END THE IRS BEFORE IT ENDS US: HOW TO RESTORY A LOW-TAX, HIGH GROWTH, WEALTHY AMERICA and he is coming back on the show to explain America has strayed so far from our anti-tax, pro-liberty origins.

He says the IRS has gotten out of control and he has a plan to roll back taxes and promote economic growth with the eventual goal of abolishing the IRS entirely. He'll provide tips on how every American can reduce their individual tax burden.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Policing for Profit - The Civil Asset Forfeiture Nightmare (Part 2)

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 23:59:51 -0000

In yesterday's episode, we talked about how law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels have been misusing U.S. civil asset forfeiture laws to seize billions in property and money from ordinary law-abiding Americans. They're taking homes, cars, boats, and even the cash out of your wallet.

In this episode, you'll hear about how the feds are taking civil asset forfeiture abuse one step farther and literally stealing money out of the bank accounts of citizens who have done nothing wrong. You NEED to download this episode, because you could be their next victim.

We'll also reveal that one of the worst abusers of civil asset forfeiture laws is President Obama's new U.S. Attorney General. In just one case, her department took $446,000 straight from the bank account of three brothers who had done nothing wrong and were never accused of any crime. And worst of all, her department drug the case on for 2 1/2 years without even giving the brothers a hearing before a judge.

We'll talk to a man who had $35,000 stolen from his bank account by the IRS, plus we'll talk with Rob Johnson, an attorney with the Institute for Justice, and Roger Pilon, the founder and director of the Cato Institute's Center for Constitutional Studies.

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Policing For Profit - The Nightmare Of Civil Asset Forfeiture (Part 1)

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 23:55:50 -0000

Can law enforcement take your stuff even if you've committed no crime? Yes the can. Money? Yep, they can take that too. In fact, law enforcement at the federal, state and local levels are doing it every day. They're seizing cars, boats, jewelry, cash, and even homes and businesses all without ever charging the owner with any crime.

It's a little known but widely abused area of law called Civil Asset Forfeiture and it's turning entire police departments into financial predators. In this episode, I'll talk to a single mom who got shook down by cops for $10,000 during a routine traffic stop and one man who nearly lost his family business thanks to the the police's preditory law. And neither of these people committed any crime. I'll also talk with Rob Johnson, an attorney with the Institute for Justice, who has defended a number of these cases, and Roger Pilon, the founder and director of the Cato Institute's Center for Constitutional Studies.

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and leave us a review. For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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George Washington Deserves His Own Day

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 23:50:48 -0000

Last week was President's Day and in this episode, I'll provide a brief history of the holiday and talk about how our founding father George Washington has really gotten shortchanged with this whole President's Day thing. I'll look at the many ways in which our country would not be the same or might not even exist today if it hadn't been for our first President and our greatest patriot. Today I'm making the case for why George Washington deserves his own day.

Be sure to subscribe on iTunes and leave us a review. For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Bonus Episode - The Wit And Wisdom Of Winston Churchill

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 23:40:40 -0000

In yesterday's podcast, Churchill on Leadership, I talked with Dr. Steven F. Hayward about the leadership qualities that made Winston Churchill one of the greatest men in history. In this short bonus podcast, I'll take a look at the lighter side of Sir Winston with a collection of some of my favorite quotes and anecdotes that highlight the razer sharp wit of Winston Churchill.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review on iTunes. For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Churchill on Leadership with guest Dr. Steven F. Hayward

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 23:35:09 -0000

50 years ago this past Saturday, the world mourned the passing of the greatest leader of the 20th Century - Sir Winston S. Churchill. On the anniversary of Churchill's death, I'll sit down with Dr. Steven F. Hayward, author of Churchill on Leadership to discuss some of the qualities that made Winston Churchill a remarkable leader and a towering figure in history.

Be sure to subscribe to the show on iTunes and leave us a review. For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Stephen Hadley, Former National Security Advisor To The President

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 23:32:02 -0000

In this episode, I ask Stephen Hadley, the former National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush, just how dangerous is the world today?" We also talk about the Islamic State, Vladimir Putin, and the need for a greater U.S. investment in conflict prevention and post-conflict infrastructure. If you like this episode then subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes. For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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African-Americans Deserve A Leader Like Nelson Mandela, Not Al Sharpton

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 23:24:12 -0000

Welcome to this preview station for KickAss Politics. In my recent interview with Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin, we discussed her experience as a journalist in South Africa covering the end of apartheid and the release of Nelson Mandela after 27 years in prison. Our conversation inspired me dedicate an entire episode to Nelson Mandela. He was a man of remarkable personal strength, wisdom and humility who represented the very best of the human spirit. Sadly though, Mandela's memory serves as a stark contrast to the so called "leaders" in today's African-American community. It's Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and in the wake of the Ferguson riots and recent violence against police, I'll ask where are the civil rights heroes of today? Because African-Americans deserve a Neson Mandela, not an Al Sharpton.

If you like this episode then please subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes. For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Fox News National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin On ISIS, Middle East Peace, & The Concerns That Keep Her Up At Night.

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 22:58:08 -0000

Welcome to this preview station for KickAss Politics! In this podcast, I talk with Fox News National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin. We talk about her and her husband's experiences in the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and her early years covering the fall of Aparheid and the release of Nelson Mandela. She also tells me about the transition from reporting in some of the most dangerous places in the world to being a working mom and Fox Pentagon Correspondent and how that experience has led to a surprising bond with our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. She reveal the scariest moment of her life as a foreign correspondent in the world's hot zones and she tells me which national security concerns are the ones that keep her up at night.

If you enjoy this episode, then please subscribe and leave us a review on iTunes. For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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Disruptive Technology vs. Government Regulation w/ guest Grover Norquist

Wed, 05 Aug 2015 07:03:56 -0000

In this first episode of KickAss Politics, I'll explore how the emerging "sharing economy" and innovative businesses like Uber, Lyft and AirBnB are radically reshaping our notions of ownership and traditional distribution models. Then I'll talk with Grover Norquist, president and founder of Americans for Tax Reform, about how government regulators and politicans are stifling the sharing economy and going out of their way to tax, over-regulate, and even destroy innovative companies in spite of overwhelming popular support. I'll also talk with Grover about his wacky and enlightening experience as a Libertarian Republican at this year's Burning Man festival.

If you enjoy this episode, then please help us out by subscribing and leaving us a review on iTunes. Then you'll receive new episodes as soon they become available. https://itun.es/i6Sv9Ym

For more information, visit www.KickAssPolitics.com, and if you enjoyed the show and would like to help keep us on the air, then please show your support at www.gofundme.com/kickasspolitics.

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