Lula Wins a Fourth Term, Serbian Students Defeat the Ruling Party, the US Prepares to Escalate the Iran War Lula Wins a Fourth Term, Serbian Students Defeat the Ruling Party, the US Prepares to Escalate the Iran War
Danny and Derek unpack the week’s global news, from elections in Israel and Brazil to political upheaval in Serbia, tensions with Iran, and the wars in Sudan and Ukraine.
Oct 30, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison
Halloween Origins—With Eleanor Janega and Luke Waters Halloween Origins—With Eleanor Janega and Luke Waters
Eleanor Janega and Luke Waters join the show to explore Halloween’s origins, from medieval beliefs about death and ghosts to costumes, commercialization, and modern traditions.
Oct 28, 2026 / Podcast / Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner
Elon Musk and the Future of Capitalism—With Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff Elon Musk and the Future of Capitalism—With Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff
Quinn Slobodian and Ben Tarnoff join Danny and Derek to explore Elon Musk’s vision of capitalism, his political influence, and the future of Big Tech.
Oct 21, 2026 / Podcast / Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner
Ethiopian Forces Approach Eritrea, Israel Demolishes Southern Lebanon Towns, Two Commercial Ships Are Attacked Near Hormuz Ethiopian Forces Approach Eritrea, Israel Demolishes Southern Lebanon Towns, Two Commercial Ships Are Attacked Near Hormuz
Danny and Derek unpack the week’s global news, from escalating conflicts in Iran, Yemen, and Gaza to Sudan, the DRC, China, and the war in Ukraine.
Oct 16, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison
The Political Power of Police Unions—With Stuart Schrader The Political Power of Police Unions—With Stuart Schrader
Stuart Schrader joins Danny and Derek to explore the history and political influence of police unions, their relationship to organized labor, and the future of police reform.
Oct 14, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison
War Breaks in Tigray, Brazil Holds Elections, Houthi/Ansar Allah Attacks Hit a Saudi Airport War Breaks in Tigray, Brazil Holds Elections, Houthi/Ansar Allah Attacks Hit a Saudi Airport
Derek has returned, but he keeps trying to get Danny to go to some seminar led by a charismatic “mentor” he encountered in his travels.
Oct 9, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison
US-Iran Talks Stall, Russia Nuclear Warning, Brazil Election US-Iran Talks Stall, Russia Nuclear Warning, Brazil Election
Danny and Alex Jordan unpack the week’s global news, from Iran and the Gulf to Russia-Ukraine, Saudi nuclear ambitions, military technology, and Brazil’s election.
Oct 2, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison
A Modern History of Assassination—With Simon Ball A Modern History of Assassination—With Simon Ball
Danny and Derek talk to Simon Ball, professor of international history and politics at the University of Leeds, about the history of political assassination in the modern era.
Sep 30, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison
Mutiny of the College-Educated Worker—With Noam Scheiber Mutiny of the College-Educated Worker—With Noam Scheiber
Noam Scheiber joins Danny and Derek to discuss the rise of the college-educated working class, from underemployment and AI to union organizing and the collapse of meritocracy.
Sep 23, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison
The Houthis Escalate the Red Sea Conflict, the Pentagon Releases a Report on Iran War Costs, the BRICS Summit Exposes Divisions The Houthis Escalate the Red Sea Conflict, the Pentagon Releases a Report on Iran War Costs, the BRICS Summit Exposes Divisions
Danny and Alex Jordan unpack the week’s global news, from Iran, Yemen, and Gaza to Russia-Ukraine, US sanctions policy, Brazil, and Sweden.
Sep 18, 2026 / Podcast / Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison