PODCAST · news
The Interesting Times podcast
by Kevin Hockmuth
Mapping the intersections of politics, economics, technology, and ethics. theinterestingtimes.substack.com
Episodes
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Global Calamity: Choose Your Own Adventure
My thoughts and analysis on the Iran conflict (and its many attendant facets) along with the looming issues tied to AI finance—which is deeply connected to wider potential economic meltdowns. Plus a bonus rant at the end of the episode, so stay tuned…Thanks as always for supporting the show! This...
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Trump Spins the PERFECT Web to Ensnare Himself
A break down of the current situation in the US-Iran war. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
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How Government and Markets Undermine Black Middle-Class Suburbia
It is my great pleasure to share my conversation with Dr. Angela Simms of Barnard College-Columbia University. Our discussion centers around her recent book entitled: Fighting for a Foothold: How Government and Markets Undermine Black Middle-Class Suburbia. Dr. Simms brings a host of experience...
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The Art of the Kneel
Sorry, as a middle aged pops, I am drawn to puns like bugs to light…here is my analysis of some of the causes as well as near & long-term consequences of the MOU heard round the world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus...
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The (dark) Wokepire Strikes Back
My thoughts and analysis on the current state of play in US politics and thinking of Left ways moving forward. Note: You can find the essay I reference in the essay, here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...
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Hurtling towards Cataclysm in Iran & Beyond
Some thoughts, analysis, and projections about the growing catastrophe in Iran. Thanks as always for your support. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
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TACO? You can't 'chicken out' after you've run off the cliff
Some analysis that questions the ‘TACO scenario’ everyone seems to be anticipating. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
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TLDW: Pretty F’ing Bad
Thoughts and analysis of the US and Israel’s illegal aggression in Iran. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
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Punk Politics for Our Times
It was my great pleasure to welcome Prof. Sean Parson from Northern Arizona University to discuss his new book Punk Anarchism: An Anti-Theory of Resistance. We had a wide-ranging discussion that considered these fraught times through the multiple lenes employed in the book. I really enjoyed this...
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The Carney Speech & the Signs He Left Hanging
My analysis of the speech heard round the world. There were many admirable parts, but I was also left with big questions while also finding some aspects worthy of critique and deeper consideration. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...
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A Meditation on, and Appreciation of, the Many Good People of Minnesota
My reflections on the everyday heroic actions by the courageous citizens of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Here is a link to the video I mention in the show. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...
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The Indigenous People of Crimea: A critical facet of the Russia-Ukraine conflict you probably know nothing about
I always learn a great deal from guests, but I must say this conversation particularly floored me as it revealed a central aspect of Russia—Ukraine relations, both at present and historically, that I knew basically zero about. Prof. Greta Uehling is a highly accomplished scholar and practitioner...
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The Imperial Triumvirate Emerges
A follow up to my very early takes yesterday. I feel that though it may seem pat, or ‘too easy’, the oil angle I have been pushing was unambiguously verified by Trump’s absolutely wild press conference. Here I try to make some sense or simply meditate on the senselessness of this whole wretched,...
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ATTACK ON CARACAS (or Iraqas) Understanding Trump and this latest descent into ultraviolence
There is still quite a bit to learn here, but I wanted to offer my initial reaction and analysis to the US invasion of Venezuela. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
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2000-2025: The First Quarter of the 21st Century in Review
I am joined by Ira Allen, professor of rhetoric and politics at Northern Arizona University and Chris Tharp, a South Korea-based travel writer and novelist to take a look back at the first quarter of this here 21st century. No doubt there is quite a bit to bemoan, but we also find quite a few...
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BEARS! On the streets of my home in Akita, in the US stock & crypto markets...emergent paradigms abound
In this episode I talk about how life transformed nearly overnight as bear sightings, and more gravely, bear attacks skyrocketed in the urban areas of Akita prefecture. To be clear, though bears are a well established part of life here, this is taking place at a scale even lifelong residents are…
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Doing the Work of Justice & Equality in Education
Very excited for the opportunity to discuss the new edited volume Doing the Work of Equity Leadership for Justice and Systems Change with its co-editor, Prof. Ann Ishimaru, the Killinger Endowed Chair and Professor of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Policy at the University of Washington....
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Lights Blinking RED: Sky Rocketing Gold Prices are a MEGA Bad Sign
The price of gold is way, way up at historic levels and save for those who bought into it some time back (but maybe even for them ultimately), it is a very troubling signal of a looming global financial calamity. Below is the chart (Gold prices USD/oz. since 1973) I discuss in the episode. This…
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Little Pete's BIG Meeting, some analysis
Hopped on the mic to record some thoughts and analysis of the strange meeting Defense (War) Secretary Pete Hegseth called. As always, I try to take a step back in think about some of the wider context. TLDL: probably not good. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...
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The Cuttlefish, a new novel from Chris Tharp
Travel writer extraordinaire, Chris Tharp, joins us to discuss his first major work of fiction, The Cuttlefish. A novel that meets the utmost requirement of any novel, i.e., it tells a great story that you don’t want to stop reading. As Chris is a good friend you may want some additional...
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Capitalism had NO 'Golden Age' & The Factories Will NOT Save us
In this episode we direct a critical gaze at the widely held narrative wherein the erosion of the American industrial base took with it the ‘good life’ and well-being provided by industrial work throughout the 1950s-60s. In this view, these socio-economic shifts led to a sense of abandonment and...
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Techno-capitalists and Authoritarians, like lips on teeth
In this episode I try to think about what the simultaneous thriving of MAG7 companies and the burgeoning authoritarian Trump regime tell us about the purported symbiosis between “advanced” capitalism and democracy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers...
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AI is an Old Ideology Mutating into a New Technology
In this episode I try to drop AI into a bit of a wider historical and political-economic perspective. More a series of propositions than any firm conclusions, but I hope it spurns some consideration on your part. Please share your thoughts in a comment or direct message. Thanks as always for...
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CEASEFIRE: some snap assessments and analysis
A second attempt at a video post, this time from the serene confines of the Akita countryside. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
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How does this end?
Thoughts, analysis, and some (dark) projections. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
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US ATTACK ON IRAN: Initial Reactions
Initial reactions and analysis. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
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THE FOOLS BASED INTERNATIONAL ORDER
In this episode I try to zero in on some of the wider implications of the G7 endorsing a patent violation of international law. Hint: They are not very good! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...
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NO WAR IN IRAN
We are staring into an abyss, but we need not be sucked in. The vast majority (close to 80%) of Americans want NO part in a war with Iran. However, it is critical to mobilize to stop this reckless creep towards involvement by the Trump administration. After recording this, I saw the White House...
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Regime Change? WTF are we even talking about?
Back again with some thoughts and analysis as the conflict escalates and spirals. Recorded 9:00 am Sunday morning Japan time/8:00 pm Saturday east coast time US. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit...
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Iran-Israeli War: thoughts, analysis, and some 'informed' speculation
Some thoughts and (hopefully) useful insights into this dark turn in global politics. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
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Borderlines: LA, Immigration, the US, & the World
It is our great pleasure to welcome back the one and only Dr. Ira Allen. He is Associate Professor of Rhetoric, Writing, and Digital Media Studies at Northern Arizona University as well as author of the recent book Panic Now?: Tools for Humanizing. As always, Ira adds so much to not only our...
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YIKES! The Bond Market is NOT Yielding and things are Looking Pretty Grim
My breakdown of the latest twists and turns in our post liberation tribulation day world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theinterestingtimes.substack.com
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The Assault on the Trans Community is One Piece of a Wider, Fascistic Puzzle
It is our great pleasure to welcome Dr. Ann Pellegrini and Dr. Avgi Saketopoulou back to The Interesting Times podcast. As with our previous conversation, they offer a trove of important insights into the politics related to the trans community in the US. They are accomplished scholars,...
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SUPPLY (off the) CHAIN: An Insider's Account of Logistics in the Age of Liberation Day
Excited to bring you this fascinating discussion with my old friend Brandon Stahl who has spent years conducting business with Chinese manufacturers and has a trove of direct insights into how the tariffs are impacting global supply chains. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss...
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The Cascading Crises of Tribulation Day
Another installment on Liberation Tribulation Day and its many discontents wherein we ponder that indeed you cannot buy or sell stuff you that is not there and why Scott Bessent is terrible for multiple reasons. Also a May Day reflection on notions of ‘labor’ and ‘consumers.’ This is a public...
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Trump is indeed now 'trying' to CAVE..(but China is not accepting the friend request)
Wherein I try to explain why my standing thesis that in many ways the White House’s historically botched trade gambit makes Trump’s actual CAVE far less significant than it may appear. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus...
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The Life and Times of Haiti's First (and Last) King, Henry Christophe
It our great pleasure to welcome Dr. Marlene Daut, professor of French and African American Studies at Yale University. The focus of our discussion is her recent book, The First and Last King of Haiti: The Rise and Fall of Henry Christophe . This book takes us on a fascinating journey into the…
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Team Trump Loses Control of the Narrative
I think it is clear that the Trump team has lost control of the narrative. Not in any superficial horserace sense, but in the deep psychological sense of how actors in various key positions are framing and processing these still very fluid events. Thanks as always for listening. This is a public...
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TRUMP CAVES (he most certainly did NOT)
Well, well, well. I am back and this time I do think with some important framings missing in the coverage. I think the reporting on this, especially by left of center media is way off, Trump most certainly did not CAVE. In important ways (while staving off the immediate looming financial meltdown...
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It's Still (probably) Worse Than You Think
Another installment in my doom casting series. Heavy stuff, but things we need to consider. I know a lot of folks must me scared and confused, trust me, I am too. Sending this out with nothing but love and compassion to those facing the consequences for these squabbles among the rich and…
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It's (probably) worse than you think
Okay, back with one more tranche of analysis and hopefully some useful ways to think about and process a crisis whose scope I think we have yet to fully appreciate. Thanks as always for listening and supporting the show. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...
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Emergency Trump Tariff Pod
Warning: I get a bit saucy here and keep things loose so probably not good for listening around the young ones. Just some swearing, not that saucy! Well here is our first ‘emergency pod’ and my did we wait for a dozy to roll this out. Lots to talk about. Sadly it is just me, but I try to put...
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The Foreboding Rise of Neo-Reactionary Thought
This episode is important—not for anything I have to say, but because of our guest, Prof. Roger Burrows. He brings a depth of knowledge and insight into the key strains of political ideology shaping this moment. Prof. Burrows has been thinking about, and writing on, neo-reactionary (NRx) thought...
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The Media, Messaging, & the 2024 Election
It is with immense pleasure that we welcome Dr. Stephen J. Farnworth to the show. Dr. Farnsworth was a professor of mine at the University of Mary Washington back in the latter half of the 1990s. More importantly, he is one of America’s foremost experts on the media and the presidency. Given his...
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Why do 'democracies' seem to be breaking down everywhere?
I know many people are fretting about the coming election. I understand as the implications of it going one way or the other are massive. However, I don’t have anything of value to add to the daily deluge of polls and takes. So what I wanted to do is release an audio version of an essay I posted...
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The Quest for Authenticity
Excited to share our latest episode featuring a discussion with my colleague at Akita International University, Dr. Kyle Shuttleworth. We use his excellent book, The History and Ethics of Authenticity: Meaning, Freedom, and Modernity to center our discussion of the crucial, yet vexing, concept of...
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Overtourism and How to Travel Wisely
We like to travel and so do others, but significant problems emerge when we all decide we want to visit the same places. Stories on overtourism and the stresses it places on these desirable locales have been a constant in the summer news. We are joined by my friend and travel writer…
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A Royal Mess
For me, and I would guess for many others, the UK is a country we know well, but don’t really know, well. Thankfully, we are joined by Nick Bibby who brings of trove of experience in UK politics, society, and history to help give us a clearer picture of what is happening, not only in contemporary...
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A Conversation with Mr. Jones X
Very excited to release my conversation with a pioneer of the educational Tik Tok, or ‘edutok’ space, Mr. Patrick Jones aka Mr. Jones X. He has over 250,000 followers and his videos have garnered roughly 3.5 billion views. So much to learn from what Mr. Jones has to say on a range of topics,...
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Black Woman on Board
We are excited to release our latest episode featuring a discussion with Dr. Donna J. Nicol of California State University Long Beach. We discuss her insightful new book entitled Black Woman on Board: Claudia Hampton, the California State University, and the Fight to Save Affirmative Action....
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Mapping the intersections of politics, economics, technology, and ethics.
theinterestingtimes.substack.com
HOSTED BY
Kevin Hockmuth
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Interesting Times podcast have?
The Interesting Times podcast currently has 82 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Interesting Times podcast about?
Mapping the intersections of politics, economics, technology, and ethics. theinterestingtimes.substack.com
How often does The Interesting Times podcast release new episodes?
The Interesting Times podcast has 82 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Interesting Times podcast?
You can listen to The Interesting Times podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Interesting Times podcast?
The Interesting Times podcast is created and hosted by Kevin Hockmuth.
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