Luigi Mangione: Folk Hero or Villain?

Send us Fan MailWhat does it mean to be a "folk hero?” While figures like Robin Hood and Paul Bunyan once inspired ideals, like wealth redistribution and frontier progress, today’s larger-than-life characters carry the scent of cynicism. Jim and JB trace the evolution of the folk icon, starting with the 1970s mystery of D.B. Cooper—the enigmatic hijacker who vanished into the clouds with a bag of loot— to the obsessive revival of the Unabomber manifesto and the zealous courthouse support for Luigi Mangione. We ask: Do today’s "folk villains" signal a legitimate breakdown in our social institutions or a reckless descent into nihilism?Boomer Has It! The transatlantic podcast you never knew you needed.About the Hosts Boomer Has It! brings together two seasoned writers from two different worlds to find common ground (or a good-natured argument) in the middle of the Atlantic through an unfiltered boomer lens.Join the Conversation We don’t just want to talk at you; we want to hear from you. Whether you agree with our take or think we’ve missed the mark entirely, get in touch:Instagram: @boomer.has.itYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BoomerHasItPodcastSupport the Show If you enjoyed this episode, the best way to support us is to follow the show on your favorite app and leave a 5-star review. It helps us stay visible in a "fractured age" and keeps the conversation going.Two writers. Two cities. Two opinions. One perspective you won't find anywhere else.