Critical Support: Charles x Shirin

Edward Lengel, former chief historian for the White House Historical Association, speaks with Critical Support's Charles R. Davis and Shirin Sadeghi about Donald Trump's ballroom and why it's not just a story about corruption.As Lengel explains, America's "founding fathers" did not want to mimic the pomp and excess of European monarchs. The White House was meant to be a modest residence, not a palace, signaling that no one person was above another.The White House was also built by enslaved people. Why should we care if its desecrated? Because it's a symbol of democracy, Lengel argues, however flawed — and it's now being transformed into a playground for a king.Subscribe to Critical Support: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalSupport

What happens when governments decide who counts and who doesn't? When systematic declarations of who is German enough or American enough lead to the removal of residencies and citizenships and...people. Even if they are generations or centuries long?Critical Support's @charliearchy.bsky.social and @shirinsadeghi.bsky.social discusses Shirin's on-the-ground report from Amsterdam as she covers the history of the German occupation of the Netherlands and the most famous story of its devastation: that of Anne Frank and her family. Subscribe and support the show: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalSupport

A Critical Support Special from Shirin Sadeghi, live from Amsterdam's Prinsengracht Street where Anne Frank and her family and friends tried to save themselves from the Nazi occupation of Holland. It was a time, not that long ago, when all people residing in Nazi controlled nations were categorized as either "native" or "Jewish". And your label signified, literally, life or death. As political parties based on or propelled by hate movements spread throughout Europe and its former colonies, including the United States, what the Nazi governments systematically applied to the Jews of Europe begs the question of whether we are on the brink of another era of elimination for those who are labelled "non-native". Listen for a report on Nazi commissioner of Holland Arthur Seyss Inquart's real background and the chilling facts of the Nazi extermination of the Jews of the Netherlands. Subscribe and support the show: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalSupport

Bet you didn't notice that President Trump has used the word "remigration" in his social media posts. Bet it was because you didn't know what it means. Join Critical Support Radio as Charles and Shirin speak with Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate & Extremism, as she explains what "remigration" means and how it has transformed the politics of Europe and its former colonies, including the United States. Take a seat as you take in how the new, old far right aims to re-engineer entire societies, without you. Support this work by subscribing: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalSupport

In this edition of Critical Support, Charles and Shirin discuss the 2003 Coen Brothers' film "No Country for Old Men." Based on a work by Cormac McCarthy, the movie has been interpreted by some as a great example of conservative art, depicting a world where good manners have given way to nihilistic violence. That's a defensible reading, but does it hold up in 2026? Today's conservatives pride themselves not on honor or concern for others, but on transgression and self-interest. Right-wing politicians like Donald Trump are a lot closer to Anton Chigurh — the sociopathic killer, played by Javier Bardem, who makes no apology for abandoning morality for personal gain — than to Sheriff Bell, the traditional conservative lawman, played by Tommy Lee Jones, who laments the fact that empathy is lost in the modern world. Indeed, it's now popular on the right to argue that empathy is not just a sign of weakness, but actually suicidal.In some ways, you could argue a film that was once "conservative" is today "liberal," as it is those on the center-left who are now defending a dying system in face of lawless violence.https://www.patreon.com/CriticalSupport

Charles and Shirin discuss the 70th Eurovision contest and whether politics — or Israel — should have been excluded from the competition. As part of the conversation, they discuss Charles' on-the-ground report from Vienna, Austria, and whether protesters or fans are right: Is all art political? Should we just let people enjoy things? And in a world divided by nationalism, is it possible to represent one's country without representing one's government?Subscribe and support the show: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalSupport

Critical Support’s Charles R. Davis files an on-the-ground report from Vienna, Austria, which hosted the 70th edition of Eurovision. He speaks to protesters who criticized Israel’s inclusion in the song contest, citing its actions in Gaza and arguing there should be “no platform for genocide.” And he talks to Eurovision fans who say politics has no place at an event that should be about music, love and unity. Is it fair to hold artists responsible for the actions of their government? Can we ever afford to ignore politics? And does the decision to exclude Russia over its invasion of Ukraine show that Eurovision has a double standard?Listen, subscribe and find out more: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalSupport

Charles R. Davis and Shirin Sadeghi sit down with journalist Amanda Marcotte, a senior politics writer at Salon and the host of "Standing Room Only," a weekly show about culture and current events available on YouTube.This week's discussion: the "tradwife" phenomenon and the rise of influencers like Hannah Neeleman of Ballerina Farm who are selling nostalgia for pre-20th century gender roles. Why is this happening now? Who is the target audience? And are women persuaded by content that encourages them to abandon their careers for a life raising kids on the farm?And are "tradwives" even real? Marcotte and the hosts discuss Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, and whether their relationship is actually traditional or just a performance.https://www.patreon.com/c/CriticalSupport

Brooklyn College Prof. Anna O. Law joins Critical Support to talk about her new book, "Migration and the Origins of American Citizenship: African Americans, Native Americans, and Immigrants." She discusses the history of American xenophobia, "open borders" and why the Trump administration is waging a war on birthright citizenship. And she tackles the question: Is there reason for hope?Prof. Law's book is available at Oxford University Press: https://academic.oup.com/book/62224Reach out to us at [email protected]

Charles and Shirin discuss Sen. Cory Booker and his argument that left-wing purity is costing Democrats' elections, the various meanings of 4/20 and why the public is losing access to real news.

Charles and Shirin discuss Donald Trump's clash with Pope Leo, the global impact of Viktor Orbán's loss and the death of legendary Indian singer Asha Bhosle.

Shirin and Charles discuss self-indulgent prejudice, setbacks for the far right in Europe and where to find real news in a broken information environment.

Shirin and Charles take on the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, Paul Thomas Anderson and political apathy at the Oscars.