The World According to Jen & Carolyn

Send us Fan MailIn 1925, forty thousand robed Klansmen marched down Pennsylvania Avenue in broad daylight. By then, the Klan wasn't a fringe movement—it was mainstream. It elected governors and mayors, and for many Americans, membership was a sign of status, not shame.We're talking about it now because history has a way of repeating itself. As extremist groups become more visible under the current presidential administration and some on the right try to rewrite the Klan's history by claiming it was simply a movement of "the left," it's worth looking at what the Klan actually was, how it gained power, and what finally brought it down.- Jones, Ja'han. "The MAGA movement's KKK revisionism is revealing." *MS NOW* (Opinion), May 2026. https://www.ms.now/opinion/the-maga-movements-kkk-revisionism-is-revealing **On the SPLC's 2025 Year in Hate & Extremism report and its "from extreme to establishment" framing:** - "SPLC Releases Annual Year in Hate & Extremism Report." Southern Poverty Law Center, June 9, 2026. https://www.splcenter.org/presscenter/annual-year-hate-extremism-report-hard-right-groups-power-government/ - "Hate Map." Southern Poverty Law Center. https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map/ - "Frequently asked questions about hate and antigovernment groups." Southern Poverty Law Center, March 2026. https://www.splcenter.org/resources/guides/frequently-asked-questions-about-hate-and-antigovernment-groups/ - "SPLC's latest 'Year in Hate' report details shift 'From Extreme to Establishment' in Gulf South." WWNO, June 26, 2026. https://www.wwno.org/local-regional-news/2026-06-26/splcs-latest-year-in-hate-report-details-shift-from-extreme-to-establishment-in-gulf-south - "SPLC report warns of far-right extremism in Alabama." Alabama Political Reporter (APR), June 2026. https://www.alreporter.com/2026/06/15/splc-report-warns-of-far-right-extremism-in-alabama/ **On the SPLC's federal indictment and the congressional hearing pushback:** - "SPLC releases 'Year in Hate' report amid House grilling over fraud indictment." Courthouse News Service, June 2026. https://www.courthousenews.com/splc-releases-year-in-hate-report-amid-house-grilling-over-fraud-indictment/ **On methodological criticism of SPLC-derived extremism research:** - "CSIS Study on Right-Wing Extremism Under Scrutiny for Relying on SPLC Data, Critics Say It Distorts Threat Landscape." political.org, May 1, 2026. https://political.org/2026/05/01/csis-study-on-right-wing-extremism-under-scrutiny-for-relying-on-splc-data-critics-say-it-distorts-threat-landscape/**Books referenced on 1920s Klan history and its parallels to MAGA (discussed in the episode, not directly quoted):** - Egan, Timothy. *A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan's Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them.* Viking, 2023. (As discussed in: "'A Fever in the Heartland' links Klan history to MAGA movement." *National Catholic Reporter*, August 2023. https://www.ncronline.org/culture/book-reviews/fever-heartland-links-klan-history-maga-movement) - Gordon, Linda. *The Second Coming of the KKK: The Ku Klux Klan of the 1920s and the American Political Tradition.* Liveright, 2017. **Additional commentary on Klan/MAGA historical parallels consulted for framing (presented in the episode as one side of a contested argument, not as settled fact):** - "Opinion: A direct line from the Ku Klux Klan to MAGA." *Concord Monitor*, July 24, 2023. https://www.concordmonitor.com/2023/07/24/my-turn-the-direct-line-from-the-ku-klux-klan-to-maga-51688420/ - "From White Hoods to Red Hats: How MAGA revives the ideological legacy of the Klan in Trump's America." *Milwaukee Independent*, April 7, 2025. https://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/editorial/white-hoods-red-hats-maga-revives-ideological-legacy-klan-trumps-america/ - "The MAGA movement is a KKK re-up. The latest Jan. 6 hearing proves it." *MS NOW* (The ReidOut Blog), 2022. https://www.ms.now/the-reidout/reidout-blog/summary-jan-6-hearing-kkk-rcna37960 - Barbero, Andrew Scott. "Republican Klansmen: The Ku Klux Klan and the Grand Old Party in Prohibition-Era Indiana." Dissertation, Southern Illinois University. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations/2236/ **Psychological and sociological frameworks referenced (standard academic literature, not drawn from the above news sources):** - Tajfel, Henri, and John Turner. Social Identity Theory (1970s work on minimal group paradigm). - Adorno, Theodor W., et al. *The Authoritarian Personality* (1950). Later revised in: Altemeyer, Bob. Work on right-wing authoritarianism (RWA scale). - Mutz, Diana C. "Status threat, not economic hardship, explains the 2016 presidential vote." *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, 2018. - Bandura, Albert. Moral disengagement theory (multiple works, e.g., *Moral Disengagement: How People Do Harm and Live with Themselves*, 2016). - Arendt, Hannah. *Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil* (1963). - Moghaddam, Fathali M. "The Staircase to Terrorism: A Psychological Exploration." *American Psychologist*, 2005. - Solomon, Sheldon, Jeff Greenberg, and Tom Pyszczynski. Terror Management Theory (multiple works since the late 1980s). - McAdam, Doug. Political process model of social movements (e.g., *Political Process and the Development of Black Insurgency, 1930–1970*, 1982). *Note: the psychological and sociological theory citations above reflect well-established academic literature drawn from general knowledge rather than the web searches conducted for this script; readers should consult the original papers/books directly for full citations and any subsequent scholarly debate or revision.*

Send us Fan Mail*Sorry about the audio on this one, folks! Things got a little wonky! Today’s episode is… heavy. We’re diving into something that sounds like a sci-fi dystopia, but is very real: The Dark Enlightenment. Also known as NRx, or neoreactionary thought. And if you’ve never heard of it before, you’re not alone—but its influence is quietly growing in tech, politics, and online spaces. This is not just fringe internet philosophy. It intersects with power, wealth, and governance—and challenges the core assumption that democracy is the best system we’ve got. We’re going to discuss where it came from, what it believes, why it’s appealing to some, and why critics say it’s deeply dangerous.Brown, W. – Undoing the DemosMüller, J.W. – What is Populism?Nature Genetics (re: race & genetics)Hirschman, A.O. – Exit, Voice, and LoyaltyPiketty, T. – inequality and political systemsLevitsky & Ziblatt – How Democracies DieBrown, W. (2015). Undoing the demos: Neoliberalism's stealth revolution. Zone Books.Hirschman, A. O. (1970). Exit, voice, and loyalty: Responses to decline in firms, organizations, and states. Harvard University Press.Levitsky, S., & Ziblatt, D. (2018). How democracies die. Crown.Müller, J.-W. (2016). What is populism? University of Pennsylvania Press.Adorno, T. W., Frenkel-Brunswik, E., Levinson, D. J., & Sanford, R. N. (1950). The authoritarian personality. Harper & Row.Bandura, A. (1999). Moral disengagement in the perpetration of inhumanities. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 3(3), 193–209.Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Plenum.Freyd, J. J. (1996). Betrayal trauma: The logic of forgetting childhood abuse. Harvard University Press.Gilligan, C. (1982). In a different voice: Psychological theory and women's development. Harvard University Press.Gottman, J. M. (1994). What predicts divorce? The relationship between marital processes and marital outcomes. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.Greenberg, J., Pyszczynski, T., & Solomon, S. (1986). The causes and consequences of a need for self-esteem: A terror management theory. In R. F. Baumeister (Ed.), Public self and private self (pp. 189–212). Springer-Verlag.hooks, b. (2004). The will to change: Men, masculinity, and love. Atria Books.Jost, J. T., & Banaji, M. R. (1994). The role of stereotyping in system-justification and the production of false consciousness. British Journal of Social Psychology, 33(1), 1–27.Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297–314.Kruglanski, A. W., & Webster, D. M. (1996). Motivated closing of the mind: "Seizing" and "freezing." Psychological Review, 103(2), 263–283.Real, T. (1997)

Send us Fan MailToday’s episode is about a movement that has spent years operating on the political and cultural fringe, but is increasingly influencing mainstream conservative politics, religious institutions, online radicalization spaces, and even parts of the federal government. It’s often called the “masculinist” movement — a loose coalition of Christian nationalists, authoritarian traditionalists, online misogynists, white identitarians, and reactionary political influencers united by a common belief: That modern democracy — especially gender equality — has weakened society, undermined men, and must be reversed.The Creation of Patriarchy (Gerda Lerner) — https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-creation-of-patriarchy-9780195051858McKinsey: Diversity Matters Even More (2023) — https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/diversity-matters-even-more-the-case-for-holistic-impact BCG: How Diverse Leadership Teams Boost Innovation (2018) — https://www.bcg.com/publications/2018/how-diverse-leadership-teams-boost-innovation Global Perspectives on DEI in Science (ScienceDirect, 2025) — https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266638642500390X  Ni Una Menos — https://niunamenos.org.ar The Feminization of Resistance: #NiUnaMenos as Social Transformative Action — https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2158379X.2023.2251109 Zapatismo and the Emergence of Indigenous Feminism (NACLA) — https://nacla.org/zapatismo-and-emergence-indigenous-feminism/ Decolonial Feminism and Buen Vivir — https://radicalecologicaldemocracy.org/decolonial-feminism-and-buen-vivir/ Ubuntu: "I Am Because We Are" — https://www.jyu.fi/en/blog/i-am-because-we-are-understanding-the-concept-of-ubuntu Ubuntu as Framework for Collective Wellbeing (Frontiers in Sociology, 2025) — https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sociology/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1555236/full The Invention of Women (Oyèrónkẹ́ Oyěwùmí) — https://www.upress.umn.edu/9780816624416/invention-of-women/  Haudenosaunee Governance: The Matrilineal Democracy That Shaped America — https://msmagazine.com/2026/03/05/haudenosaunee-government-matrilineal-democracy-america-constitution-native-women/ Indigenous Women's Influence on Modern Democracy and Women's Suffrage (PBS) — https://www.pbs.org/native-america/blog/indigenous-womens-influence-on-modern-democracy-and-womens-suffrage/ Rematriation (Michelle Schenandoah's organization) — https://rematriation.org  The Three Pillars of Radicalization (Kruglanski, Bélanger & Gunaratna) — https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-three-pillars-of-radicalization-9780190851125 Kruglanski et al. (2014) — The Psychology of Radicalization and Deradicalization — https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/pops.12163  Carnegie Endowment: Why Gender Is Central to the Antidemocratic Playbook — https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2024/11/women-lgbtq-democracy-authoritarianism-trump Christian Nationalism in Bolsonaro's Brazil — https://www.christiancentury.org/article/critical-essay/christian-nationalism-thriving-bolsonaro-s-brazil The Evangelical-Populist Nexus and Democratic Risks in Brazil — https://atlasinstitute.org/the-evangelical-populist-nexus-and-democratic-risks-in-brazil/ Christian Nationalism: Brazil to the United States — https://therevealer.org/the-solution-is-jesus-christian-nationalism-from-brazil-to-the-united-states/ SPLC report on Wilson's network — https://www.splcenter.org/resources/reports/doug-wilsons-religious-empire-expanding-northwest/ Who is Doug Wilson? (sourced overview) — https://dougwilsonsays.com/faq/who-is-doug-wilson/ What Pete Hegseth's Spiritual Mentor Wants for America — https://www.thebulwark.com/p/douglas-wilson-pete-hegseth-moscow-idaho-theocracy-dominionism-christian-reconstruction-theonomy Doug Wilson Didn't Change, Evangelical Institutions Did — https://anthonybbradley.substack.com/p/doug-wilson-didnt-change-evangelical  https://terryreal.com https://relationallife.com/working-with-men/ I Don't Want to Talk About It — https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/I-Dont-Want-to-Talk-About-It/Terrence-Real/9780684835396 Us: Getting Past You and Me — https://www.rodalesbooks.com

Send us Fan MailIf you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you know we usually live in the deep end of… everything. Politics, policy, democracy on fire, institutions crumbling—you know, light, breezy stuff. And look—we’re not abandoning that. The world is still doing whatever this is. But every once in a while, for our own sanity—and frankly, yours—we need a break. Not a “head in the sand” break. More like a “let’s examine something chaotic, ridiculous, and deeply revealing… but also kind of funny” break. Because sometimes the best way to understand society… is to watch people sprint across a parking lot while being chased by a camera crew. Cheaters and the sinister normalisation of our surveillance society | Naomi Wolf | The GuardianCheaters host Joey Greco’s stabbing was staged, paid actor saysThis Wild 2000s Reality Show Allegedly Faked a StabbingWith Joey Greco of 'Cheaters' - Los Angeles TimesAtkins, D. C., Baucom, D. H., & Jacobson, N. S. (2001). Understanding infidelity: Correlates in a national sample. Journal of Family Psychology, 15(4), 735–749. Brown, B. (2006). Shame resilience theory: A grounded theory study on women and shame. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 87(1), 43–52. Coyle, P., Van Doorn, G., Teese, R., & Dye, J. (2025). Adverse childhood experiences and infidelity: The mediating roles of anxious and avoidant attachment styles. Family Process. ⚑ verify publication dateFestinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117–140. Freyd, J. J. (1996). Betrayal trauma: The logic of forgetting childhood abuse. Harvard University Press.Ghiasi, N., Rasoal, D., Haseli, A., & Feli, R. (2023). The interplay of attachment styles and marital infidelity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Heliyon, 10(1), e23261. Glass, S. P., & Staeheli, J. C. (2003). Not just friends: Protect your relationship from infidelity and heal the trauma of betrayal. Free Press.Gordon, K. C., Baucom, D. H., & Snyder, D. K. (2004). An integrative intervention for promoting recovery from extramarital affairs. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 30(2), 213–231. Gottman, J. M. (2011). The science of trust: Emotional attunement for couples. W. W. Norton & Company.Gottman, J. M., & Silver, N. (2012). What makes love last? How to build trust and avoid betrayal. Simon & Schuster.Knopp, K., Scott, S., Ritchie, L., Rhoades, G. K., Markman, H. J., & Stanley, S. M. (2017). Once a cheater, always a cheater? Serial infidelity across subsequent relationships. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 46(8), 2301–2311Marín, R. A., Christensen, A., & Atkins, D. C. (2014). Infidelity and behavioral couple therapy: Relationship outcomes over 5 years following therapy. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 3(1), 1–12.Ortman, D. C. (n.d.). Transcending post-infidelity stress disorder (PISD): The six stages of healing. ⚑ verify full title, publisher, and publication yearPerel, E. (2017). The state of affairs: Rethinking infidelity. Harper Collins.Real, T. (1997). I don't want to talk about it: Overcoming the secret legacy of male depression. Scribner.Real, T. (2022). Us: Getting past you and me to build a more loving relationship. Rodale Books.Tangney, J. P., Stuewig, J., Mashek, D., & Hastings, M. (2011). Assessing jail inmates' proneness to shame and guilt: Feeling bad about the behavior or the self? Criminal Justice and Behavior, 38(7), 710–734. 

Send us Fan MailToday’s episode is… unhinged. Truly. We are diving into some of the wildest conspiracies on the internet—Lizard people. Secret cabals. Pizza-based espionage, and the sprawling universe of QAnon. But we’re not just laughing at them. We’re asking: Why do people believe this? What’s happening psychologically, socially, historically…and what does it say about us as a society?

Send us Fan MailHappy belated Women’s History Month! Every wave of feminism promised liberation — so why did it keep leaving the same women behind? The feminist waves we were taught to celebrate were not failures of reach — they were strategic choices to maintain proximity to patriarchal power. That choice required the consistent sacrifice of women of color, queer and trans women, and working-class women. The 1990s cultural moment — Lilith Fair, 'girl power,' the rise of the female pop star — looked like matriarchy but was bounded by whiteness, industry gatekeeping, and commercial co-option. That same decade laid the groundwork for the industrial-scale exploitation of young women in entertainment. True return to matriarchy is not nostalgia. It is restoration of what colonialism and patriarchy actively destroyed: communal, non-hierarchical governance led by the women who were here first.DiAngelo, R. (2018). White fragility: Why it's so hard for white people to talk about racism. Beacon Press.Fanon, F. (1963). The wretched of the earth (C. Farrington, Trans.). Grove Press. (Original work published 1961)Freyd, J. J. (1994). Betrayal trauma: Traumatic amnesia as an adaptive response to childhood abuse. Ethics & Behavior, 4(4), 307–329.Freyd, J. J., & Birrell, P. J. (2013). Blind to betrayal: Why we fool ourselves we aren't being fooled. Wiley.Gunn Allen, P. (1986). The sacred hoop: Recovering the feminine in American Indian traditions. Beacon Press.Jost, J. T., & Banaji, M. R. (1994). The role of stereotyping in system-justification and the production of false consciousness. British Journal of Social Psychology, 33(1), 1–27.Jost, J. T., Burgess, D., & Mosso, C. O. (2001). Conflicts of legitimation among self, group, and system: The integrative potential of system justification theory. In J. T. Jost & B. Major (Eds.), The psychology of legitimacy (pp. 363–388). Cambridge University Press.Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. Norton.Raymond, J. G. (1979). The transsexual empire: The making of the she-male. Beacon Press.Siegel, D. J. (2015). Brainstorm: The power and purpose of the teenage brain. TarcherPerigee.Temple, S. (1988). Child star: An autobiography. McGraw-Hill.Wells-Barnett, I. B. (1970). Crusade for justice: The autobiography of Ida B. Wells (A. Duster, Ed.). University of Chicago Press.

Send us Fan MailToday, Jen & Carolyn are diving into something that is often framed as a private pain but may actually be one of the most significant public health and political threats of our time: loneliness. And not loneliness as a vibe. Not “I wish I had brunch plans.” We’re talking about chronic social isolation — the kind that alters brain chemistry, distorts threat perception, and erodes a person’s sense of meaning and belonging. Because when we look at patterns of sexual violence, mass shootings, and certain forms of political extremism, we repeatedly see a profile emerge — socially isolated men, often young, often experiencing status loss, romantic rejection, economic precarity, or humiliation. Cacioppo & Patrick, "Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection" (2008); Cacioppo et al., social neuroscience research Kruglanski et al. (2014), "The Psychology of Radicalization and Deradicalization"; Journal of Social Issues Survey Center on American Life, "The State of American Friendship" (2021); Hammarström & Janlert on male social networksMoonshot CVE research; FBI's work on domestic terrorism; Windisch et al. on disengagement from extremismSurgeon General Advisory on Loneliness & Isolation (2023) — Vivek MurthyWHO Commission on Social Connection (2023)Cacioppo & Hawkley — loneliness and threat hypervigilanceKruglanski's 3N Model / Significance Quest TheorySurvey Center on American Life (2021) — male friendship recessionMoonshot CVE / ISD Global — online radicalization researchThomas Joiner's Interpersonal Theory of Suicide — also relevant, given overlap between suicidality and radicalization risk in this populationbell hooks, "The Will to Change" — on how patriarchy wounds men and primes them for violence (strong decolonized feminist frame)

Send us Fan MailWe tend to talk about violence in politics as something abstract. Policy violence. Structural violence. Metaphorical violence. But today, Jen & Carolyn are talking about literal violence. As in: people who ran for office, held office, advised presidents, or built political movements-and also murdered people. And what’s disturbing isn’t just that it happened—but how often power delayed consequences, softened accountability, or made people look the other way. This episode is about what happens when political entitlement meets the belief that some lives simply don’t matter. And spoiler: it’s not rare, it’s not partisan, and it’s not ancient history.Bandura, A. (1999). Moral disengagement in the perpetration of inhumanities. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 3(3), 193–209. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327957pspr0303_3Blee, K. M. (2002). Inside organized racism: Women in the hate movement. University of California Press.Freyd, J. J. (1996). Betrayal trauma: The logic of forgetting childhood abuse. Harvard University Press.Freyd, J. J., & Birrell, P. J. (2013). Blind to betrayal: Why we fool ourselves we aren't being fooled. Wiley.Fromm, E. (1964). The heart of man: Its genius for good and evil. Harper & Row.Horgan, J. (2008). From profiles to pathways and roots to routes: Perspectives from psychology on radicalization into terrorism. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 618(1), 80–94. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716208317539Jost, J. T., Banaji, M. R., & Nosek, B. A. (2004). A decade of system justification theory: Accumulated evidence of conscious and unconscious bolstering of the status quo. Political Psychology, 25(6), 881–919. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9221.2004.00402.xKernberg, O. F. (1984). Severe personality disorders: Psychotherapeutic strategies. Yale University Press.McCann, I. L., & Pearlman, L. A. (1990). Vicarious traumatization: A framework for understanding the psychological effects of working with victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 3(1), 131–149. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00975140Müller, K., & Schwarz, C. (2021). Fanning the flames of hate: Social media and hate crime. Journal of the European Economic Association, 19(4), 2131–2167. https://doi.org/10.1093/jeea/jvaa045Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W. W. Norton.Ridgeway, C. L. (2001). Gender, status, and leadership. Journal of Social Issues, 57(4), 637–655. https://doi.org/10.1111/0022-4537.00233Watts, A. L., Lilienfeld, S. O., Smith, S. F., Miller, J. D., Campbell, W. K., Waldman, I. D., Rubenzer, S. J., & Fabian, T. J. (2013). The double-edged sword of grandiose narcissism: Implications for successful and unsuccessful leadership among U.S. presidents. Psychological Science, 24(12), 2379–2389. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797613491970

Send us Fan MailOn this episode, Jen & Carolyn ask the question on everyone’s mind: Is AI coming for your job? With rapid advances in artificial intelligence — from automated text tools to industrial robots — many workers are wondering if their livelihoods are safe. We’ll break down the facts, the fears, and the future — and help you understand what’s real and what’s speculation.Equities close with slight gains as tech shares recover | ReutersDr. Jared Cooney Horvath, PhD, MEd — Written Testimony, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, January 2026The Digital Delusion: How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids' Learning — And How To Help Them Thrive Again (2025)Mark Manson, blog post — "The highest-leverage AI prompts do the exact opposite" (markmanson.net)Holt-Lunstad, J. et al. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk. PLOS Medicine.U.S. Surgeon General Advisory (2023). Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.De Freitas, J. et al. (2025). AI Companions Reduce Loneliness. Journal of Consumer Research, Oxford Academic.Fang, C.M. et al. (2025). How AI and human behaviors shape psychosocial effects of chatbot use: A longitudinal randomized controlled study. arXiv.Pew Research Center — AI's Impact on U.S. Workers (Kochhar, R., CNBC/Pew, 2023)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Job Openings in Professional Services, January 2025American Staffing Association — White-Collar Job Seeker Data, 2024; cited in SalesforceDevops.net, February 2025Dario Amodei (Anthropic CEO) — "White-collar bloodbath" warning; cited in Axios, May 2025LinkedIn Chief Economic Opportunity Officer Aneesh Raman — on entry-level career ladder collapse; cited in Medium/Gorsht, September 2025Polyvagal Theory — Stephen Porges (nervous system as biological imperative)https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/something-big-happening-matt-shumer-so5he/

Send us Fan MailOn today’s episode, Jen & Carolyn explore a topic that hits home for many: how intense political and ideological divisions in the United States are shaping the modern dating landscape. We’ll talk about how politics influences who we date, how couples navigate differences, and what it all means for relationships in an era of polarization.Garcia, J., & Gesselman, A. (2025). Singles in America: 14th Annual Study. The Kinsey Institute & Match.Gottman, J. M., & Silver, N. (2015). The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. Harmony Books.Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation. W.W. Norton & Company.American Survey Center (January 2025)AP VoteCast (November 2024, n=120,000+ voters)Trombetti, S. (Celebrity matchmaker, quoted May 2025)Pew Research Center (2022)

Send us Fan MailThe United States in 2026 is not Nazi Germany…yet. But history doesn’t only warn us through identical repetition. It warns us through patterns—through early signals, institutional stress, and social dynamics that recur under different conditions. In this episode, Jen & Carolyn ask a difficult but important question: What happens when we compare the United States today—not to Nazi Germany at its endpoint—but to Germany in the years before it became Nazi Germany? Because the tragedy of the Weimar Republic was not that Germans woke up one morning and chose dictatorship. It was that many believed “this can’t happen here.”Alexander, J. C. (2004). Toward a theory of cultural trauma. In J. C. Alexander, R. Eyerman, B. Giesen, N. J. Smelser, & P. Sztompka (Eds.), Cultural trauma and collective identity (pp. 1-30). University of California Press.DiAngelo, R. (2011). White fragility. International Journal of Critical Pedagogy, 3(3), 54-70.DiAngelo, R. (2018). White fragility: Why it's so hard for white people to talk about racism. Beacon Press.Freud, S. (1920). Beyond the pleasure principle. (J. Strachey, Trans.). W. W. Norton & Company.Hübl, T., & Avritt, J. J. (2020). Healing collective trauma: A process for integrating our intergenerational and cultural wounds. Sounds True.Isobel, S., Goodyear, M., Furness, T., & Foster, K. (2019). Preventing intergenerational trauma transmission: A critical interpretive synthesis. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(7-8), 1100-1113.Kestenberg, J. (1982). A metapsychological assessment based on an analysis of a survivor's child. In M. S. Bergman & M. E. Jucovy (Eds.), Generations of the Holocaust (pp. 137-158). Basic Books.Knight, Z. G. (2017). "If I leave home, who will take care of mum?" Intergenerational transmission of parental trauma through projective identification. The Scandinavian Psychoanalytic Review, 40(2), 119-128. https://doi.org/10.1080/01062301.2017.1403496Krieger, H. (1938). Das Rassenrecht in den Vereinigten Staaten [Race law in the United States]. Junker und Dünnhaupt Verlag.Levy, M. S. (2000). A conceptualization of the repetition compulsion. Psychiatry, 63(1), 45-53.Porges, S. W. (1995). Orienting in a defensive world: Mammalian modifications of our evolutionary heritage: A polyvagal theory. Psychophysiology, 32(4), 301-318. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.1995.tb01213.xPorges, S. W. (2001). The polyvagal theory: Phylogenetic substrates of a social nervous system. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 42(2), 123-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8760(01)00162-3Porges, S. W. (2021). Polyvagal theory: A science of safety. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2022.871227Porges, S. W. (2022). Polyvagal Theory: A Science of Safety. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 16, 871227. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2022.871227Racial Integrity Act of 1924, Virginia Code § 20-54 et seq. (1924).Sangalang, C. C., & Vang, C. (2016). Intergenerational trauma in refugee families: A systematic review. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 19(3), 745-754.United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. (2023). The Nuremberg Race Laws. Holocaust Encyclopedia. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/e

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Jen & Carolyn explore the relatively new phenomenon of bots. They’re everywhere online — but what are they doing to our elections, our beliefs, and our politics? Artificial accounts that look like real people… automated armies flooding social media… AI chatbots that can change minds. Are bots influencing elections? And if so, how much?Brashier, N. M., & Marsh, E. J. (2020). Judging truth. Annual Review of Psychology, 71, 499-515.Fazio, L. K., Pillai, R. M., & Patel, D. (2024). The illusory truth effect: A review of how repetition increases belief in misinformation. Current Opinion in Psychology, 56, Article 101736.Henderson, E. L., Simons, D. J., & Barr, D. J. (2021). The trajectory of truth: A longitudinal study of the illusory truth effect. Journal of Cognition, 4(1), 29.Li, N. P., van Vugt, M., & Colarelli, S. M. (2018). The evolutionary mismatch hypothesis: Implications for psychological science. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 27(1), 38-44.Menczer, F., Hui, P., Ahn, Y. Y., Ciampaglia, G. L., Ferrara, E., Flammini, A., ... & Yang, K. C. (2024). How foreign operations are manipulating social media to influence your views. The Conversation.Porges, S. W. (2022). Polyvagal theory: A science of safety. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 16, Article 871227.U.S. Department of Justice (2024). Justice Department disrupts covert Russian government-operated social media bot farm. [Press release].

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we dig into the implementation of Project 2025 — the 900+-page blueprint created by The Heritage Foundation and other conservative organizations for remaking the federal government and policy agenda. What parts have already been actioned? What remains pending? What are the risks, and where are the potential levers of accountability? We’ll review data from trackers and assess next steps.American Civil Liberties Union+2Democracy Forward+2Wikipedia+2Congresswoman Grace Meng+2Democracy ForwardAFSCME Council 5 Retirees United+1Democracy Forward+1PBS+1Project 2025 Tracker+1Center for Progressive ReformProject 2025 Tracker+2American Civil Liberties Union+2Seligman, M. E. P. (1972). Learned helplessness. Annual Review of Medicine, 23(1), 407-412. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.me.23.020172.002203Maier, S. F., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2016). Learned helplessness at fifty: Insights from neuroscience. Psychological Review, 123(4), 349-367. https://doi.org/10.1037/rev0000033Lodge, M., & Taber, C. S. (2013). The rationalizing voter. Cambridge University Press.Cialdini, R. B. (2006). Influence: The psychology of persuasion (Revised ed.). Harper Business.Kunda, Z. (1990). The case for motivated reasoning. Psychological Bulletin, 108(3), 480-498. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.108.3.480

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Jen & Carolyn dive into the phenomenon of leaders who surround themselves not with the best and brightest, but with the most loyal and the most sycophantic. Yes-men. Lapdogs. Toadies. Whatever you call them, they have shaped history — and often brought down the very leaders who empowered them. Our jumping-off point is a recent column by Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, titled Why Trump Built a Staff of Incompetent Sycophants. Reich’s argument is stark: Donald Trump, like authoritarian rulers before him, prizes loyalty over competence. And the result, he says, is a government of the unqualified, a culture of flattery, and ultimately, a recipe for failure.”Why Trump built a staff of incompetent sycophants | Robert Reich | The GuardianSchrecker, Ellen. The Age of McCarthyism: A Brief History with Documents. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2017Fried, Richard M. Nightmare in Red: The McCarthy Era in Perspective. Oxford University Press, 1990Radosh, Ronald, and Joyce Milton. The Rosenberg File. Yale University Press, 1997Schrecker, Ellen. Many Are the Crimes: McCarthyism in America. Princeton University Press, 1998Von Hoffman, Nicholas. Citizen Cohn. Doubleday, 1988Oshinsky, David M. A Conspiracy So Immense: The World of Joe McCarthy. Oxford University Press, 2005Robert Conquest, The Great Terror (1968)Kanan Makiya, Republic of Fear (1989)Hannah Arendt (The Origins of Totalitarianism, 1951)  Barbara Demick, Nothing to Envy (2009)On this Day, August 2, 1986, Roy Cohn Died of AIDS. | by Ken Gault | Think Queerly—By Darren StehlePorges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W.W. Norton & Company.Dana, D. (2018). The polyvagal theory in therapy: Engaging the rhythm of regulation. W.W. Norton & Company.Milgram, S. (1974). Obedience to authority: An experimental view. Harper & Row.Sidanius, J., & Pratto, F. (1999). Social dominance: An intergroup theory of social hierarchy and oppression. Cambridge University Press.Janis, I. L. (1972). Victims of groupthink: A psychological study of foreign-policy decisions and fiascoes. Houghton Mifflin.Janis, I. L. (1982). Groupthink: Psychological studies of policy decisions and fiascoes (2nd ed.). Houghton Mifflin.Fanon, F. (1963). The wretched of the earth. Grove Press.Martín-Baró, I. (1994). Writings for a liberation psychology. Harvard University Press.Bulhan, H. A. (1985). Frantz Fanon and the psychology of oppression. Plenum Press.Seligman, M. E. P. (1975). Helplessness: On depression, development, and death. W.H. Freeman.Maier, S. F., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2016). Learned helplessness at fifty: Insights from neuroscience. Psychological Review, 123(4), 349-367.Alexander, J. C. (2012). Trauma: A social theory. Polity Press.Brave Heart, M. Y. H. (2003). The historical trauma response among Natives and its relationship with substance abuse: A Lakota illustration. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 35(1), 7-13.DeGruy, J. (2017). Post traumatic slave syndrome: America's legacy of enduring injury and healing. Joy DeGruy Publications.Litz, B. T., Stein, N., Delaney, E., Lebowitz, L., Nash, W. P., Silva, C., & Maguen, S. (2009). Moral injury and moral repair in war veterans: A preliminary model a

Send us Fan MailSo there we were, at the Anne Rice Vampire Ball in New Orleans, surrounded by people in Victorian goth attire, fangs, and elaborate costumes...and thinking, "Yeah, we're definitely the weirdos."We fit right in!  But you know what? That's exactly the energy we need for today's episode. Because Jen & Carolyn are talking about an organization that's been called everything from "trolls" to "heroes of religious freedom"—and they're doing it all while waving the banner of Satan.   But here's the twist: they don't actually believe in Satan.The Satanic Temple: Church of Satan: churchofsatan.com"Hail Satan?" (2019) - Excellent documentary about The Satanic Temple"The Satanic Bible" by Anton LaVey (Church of Satan's foundational text)"Speak of the Devil: How The Satanic Temple is Changing the Way We Talk About Religion" by Joseph Laycock

Send us Fan MailToday, Jen & Carolyn are diving into something that's going to make you rethink everything you thought you knew about political violence in America.  We're going to connect three stories that on the surface seem completely unrelated: a Netflix series about a 13-year-old murderer, the assassination of a conservative activist, and a teenager who used ChatGPT to plan his own suicide.  But here's the thing - they're not unrelated at all. They're all symptoms of the same digital disease that's rewiring young minds in ways our political systems can't even comprehend yet. So buckle up, because we're about to show you how a cartoon frog, an AI chatbot, and a Netflix drama reveal the real political crisis of our time.  And fair warning - we're going to be discussing suicide, violence, and some pretty dark online spaces. Council, S. (2025, March 13). Breaking down Netflix's crime drama Adolescence. TIME. Netflix. (2025, September 15). Is 'Adolescence' a true story? Emmy wins, plot, release date, cast, trailer, photos. Netflix Tudum. Bramesco, C. (2025, March 25). Adolescence movie review & film summary. Roger Ebert. Midgley, A. (2025, March 24). How Netflix's 'Adolescence' was based on real events and a toxic internet subculture. Elle. Wikipedia. (2025, September 18). Adolescence (TV series). Wikipedia. Jensen, M. (2025, September 14). Political violence in recent American history: Charlie Kirk is far from the first victim. CNN. Serrano, A. (2025, September 14). Analysis: Why Charlie Kirk's killing could embolden more political violence. PBS News. ABC News. (2025, September 12). Charlie Kirk shooting: A timeline of recent political violence in America. ABC News. Collinson, S. (2025, September 15). Analysis: Trump's cherry-picked claims on political violence ignore his own rhetoric. CNN Politics. Bendavid, N. (2025, September 11). United States enters a new age of political violence. The Washington Post. Reuters. (2025, September 13). Far-right groups dox online critics after Charlie Kirk's death. Al Jazeera. Kelly, M. (2025, September 11). The killing of Charlie Kirk adds to a time of political upheaval and violence. NPR. Yousef, O., & Montanaro, D. (2025, September 12). Political violence is on the rise in America. What's driving it? NPR. NBC News. (2025, September 10). Charlie Kirk assassination prompts outcry over political violence. NBC News.

Send us Fan MailWhat do Emperor Norton, Steve Silver, Wyatt Earp, and William Randolph Hearst have in common?They’re all buried in Colma, CA — the city of souls! 💀Join Jen & Carolyn as we take you on a video journey through the resting places of San Francisco’s most iconic figures. Happy Halloween, y'all! 🎥✨Watch now 👉 https://youtu.be/ebYqZM1fQLM?si=XM-tEIImb_mdtnqx

Send us Fan MailOn this week’s episode, Jen and Carolyn explore the Trump administration’s ongoing attacks on immigrants, both documented and undocumented. We'll examine not only the fear and disruption these enforcement efforts are causing in communities, but also the broader economic consequences of dramatically reducing immigrant labor.Office of Justice ProgramsTax Payments by Undocumented Immigrants – ITEPACLU Announces Major Settlement in Family Separation Lawsuit | American Civil Liberties Union900 migrant children separated from parents despite court order, ACLU saysUS: Lasting Harm from Family Separation at the Border | Human Rights WatchAmerican Immigration Council. (2025). U.S. Citizen Children Impacted by Immigration Enforcement.Cardoso, J. B., et al. (2021). Anxiety prevalence among Latinx adolescents from immigrant families.Côté-Olijnyk, M., Perry, J. C., Paré, M-E., & Kronick, R. (2024). The mental health of migrants living in limbo: a mixed-methods systemic review with meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research, 337, 115931.Dee, T. S., & Murphy, M. (2019). Vanished Classmates: The Effects of Local Immigration Enforcement on School Enrollment. American Educational Research Journal.Pinedo, M., & Escobar, C. (2024). Childhood parental deportations, immigration enforcement experiences, and posttraumatic stress disorder among US-born Latino adults. American Journal of Public Health, 114(S6), S495–S504.UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute. (2023). The Impact of a Broken Immigration System on U.S. Students and Schools.Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. (2025). Know Your Rights and Rapid Response Networks.Florida Immigrant Coalition. (2025). Florida Rapid Response Alliance for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment (RAISE).Human Rights First. (2025). Under Attack: The Sanctity of Sanctuary Cities.Immigrant Legal Resource Center. (2025). Know Your Rights: Community Resources.Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research. (2025). Values and Beliefs Underlying Mutual Aid: An Exploration of Collective Care.NPR. (2025). These churches offer shelter and sanctuary to vulnerable migrants.Sahan Journal. (2024). Minnesota mutual aid groups prepare as election anxiety builds.

Send us Fan MailJoin Jen & Carolyn as we dive into the intriguing world of public figures who have recently veered toward conservative, MAGA politics. From Hollywood stars embracing Republican identity, to Gen Z influencers mobilizing youth conservatism, we'll unpack why these shifts matter and what they reveal about politics, fame, and identity.The TimesEW.comThe TimesThe GuardianEW.comThe GuardianFOX 4 News Dallas-Fort WorthNew York PostNew York PostVanity Fair.WikipediaWikipediaWikipediaPeople.comThe Daily BeastWikipediathepoliticswatcher.comWikipediaNewsweekEyal, K., & Cohen, J. (2006). When good friends say goodbye: A parasocial breakup study. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 50(3), 502–523.Gabriel, S., & Young, A. F. (2011). Becoming a Vampire Without Being Bitten: The Narrative Collective-Assimilation Hypothesis. Psychological Science, 22(8), 998–1002.Gabriel, S., et al. (2008). Parasocial Relationships and Well-Being. In L. J. Shrum (Ed.), The Psychology of Entertainment Media: Blurring the Lines Between Entertainment and Persuasion.Mason, L. (2018). Uncivil Agreement: How Politics Became Our Identity. University of Chicago Press.American Psychological Association (2023). Stress in America™ 2023: A Nation Recovering but Not Recovered. Washington, DC.Cohen, J. (2004). Parasocial breakups: Measuring individual differences in responses to the dissolution of parasocial relationships. Mass Communication

Send us Fan MailHe was a financier, a socialite, a convicted sex offender. He had a private jet, a private island, and friends in the highest places — presidents (including our current one), princes, and billionaires. But behind the wealth and glamour, Jeffrey Epstein ran something darker. A system of abuse. A network of silence. And a web of power that shielded him for decades. Join Jen and Carolyn as they unpack the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and examine the deep-rooted systems of privilege and power that allowed him to operate with impunity for decades.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Jen & Carolyn tackle a question that more and more Americans are asking as Donald Trump begins his second term: “What can I do to defend democracy?” It’s a ridiculously difficult moment, no doubt. But history—and real change—reminds us: the power doesn’t start at the top. It starts with us. Join us as we take you on what we hope will be a hopeful and illuminating journey of resistance and resilience. How Americans can defend our democracy against TrumpGene Sharp - Right LivelihoodThe Machiavelli of Nonviolence: Gene Sharp and the Battle Against Corporate Rule - Dissent MagazineAppeals Court Strikes Down Trump Request To Fire Workers: Here's Where Trump And Musk Are Winning—And Losing—In Courthttps://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/judges-continue-to-block-trump-policies-following-supreme-court-ruling-bf20d1ef?utm_source=chatgpt.comWikipedia+15The Washington Post+15Fox News+15The Washington Post+1New York Post+1Midland Daily News+11Vox+11The Guardian+11AP News+10The Guardian+10Politico+10Psychology TodayCBC NewsTherapists Coin New Term: Trump Anxiety Disorder - NewsweekYour Therapist Can Handle Your Trauma—But Can They Handle Trump?Psychotherapy in the Trump Era | Psychology TodayTrump’s Win Sends Therapists Into Crisis by Brooke Laufer | NASDespite recent profit gains, most therapists concerned about economy under TrumpHow does a therapist treat Trump Derangement Syndrome Psychiatry.org - American Adults Express Increasing Anxiousness in Annual Poll; Stress and Sleep are Key Factors ImpAddressing Political Anxiety in Psychotherapy | Psychology Today

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Jen & Carolyn tackle one of the most persistent and damaging myths in modern medicine: that vaccines cause autism.Despite being thoroughly debunked by decades of research, this false claim continues to drive vaccine hesitancy across communities. This has only been made worse by RFK, one of the loudest voices in the world of vaccine skepticism, being appointed to oversee the Health and Human Services department. So today, we’re going to explore where this myth came from, why it stuck around, and how we can move forward with science—and compassion—on our side.The Lancet Retraction: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60175-4BMJ (Brian Deer Investigation): https://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7452Hviid et al. (2019): https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M18-2101Institute of Medicine Report (2004): https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2004/05/mmr-vaccine-and-autism-no-causal-relationshipTaylor et al. (2014): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X14006367WHO Vaccine Hesitancy: https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019CDC Autism Info: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Jen & Carolyn explore a force that’s shaped revolutions, shaken regimes, and spoken louder than speeches: art and media. From protest murals in Chile, to Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer-winning rap about Black America, to viral TikToks calling out injustice—art is activism. And media? It’s the megaphone.MoMA: Emory Douglas – Museum of Modern Art retrospectiveEmoryDouglas.com – Official websiteBlack Panther: The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas (2007, Rizzoli Publishing) – Book collecting his most iconic imagesThe Guardian – “The Visual Vanguard of the Black Panthers”The New Yorker – Ai Weiwei's Radical Arthttps://time.com/5869111/black-lives-matter-protest-art/The Guardian – Pussy Riot and Art ActivismHerman, E. S., & Chomsky, N. (1988). Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media. Pantheon Books.Friggeri, A., Garimella, V. R. K., & Weber, I. (2014). Rumor Cascades. Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference on World Wide Web.Lewandowsky, S., Ecker, U. K. H., & Cook, J. (2017). Misinformation and Its Correction: Continued Influence and Successful Debiasing. Psychological Science in the Public Interest.Edelman Trust Barometer (2023). Global Report on Trust in Media. Edelman.Zeki, S., & Ishizu, T. (2011). The neurobiology of aesthetics. Archives of Italian Biology.Salimpoor, V. N., et al. (2011). Anatomically distinct dopamine release during anticipation and experience of peak emotion to music. Nature Neuroscience.Launay, J., Tarr, B., & Dunbar, R. I. (2016). Synchrony as an adaptive mechanism for large-scale human social bonding. Ethology.

Send us Fan MailIn honor of pride month, Jen & Carolyn are amplifying the achievements of transgender people — individuals who have broken barriers, shattered stereotypes, and made history in ways that inspire us all. Jen & Carolyn recognize that transgender people have always been part of the human story — and today, we’re lifting up some of their most notable contributions across activism, science, arts, politics, and sports.Trans Activists You Need to KnowTrans Women in Sports: Facts Over Fear | SF.gov.Transgender Athletes In HistoryReutersAdvocate. Factbox: Transgender politicians and government officials around the world | Reuters.Six Queer and Trans Artists We Love — Brooklyn Arts Council. Six Queer and Trans Artists We Love — Brooklyn Arts Council.Transgender Artists Taking The Art World By Storm. Programming Pride: 10 LGBTQI+ Pioneers of Computer Science | New Relic.Pioneering trans and non-binary scientists.Six Trans Programmers Who Shattered the Lavender Ceiling | Blog.Trans Saints? Cross-Dressing Monks.The Little Known History of Transgender Saints

Send us Fan MailToday, we’re tackling a question that’s come up repeatedly since 2016: Which parts of the Constitution has Donald Trump violated—or is alleged to have violated?Now, let’s be clear: There’s no official, court-verified list of constitutional provisions Trump has been found guilty of violating. But over the years, a range of legal scholars, watchdog groups, and even Congress have raised serious concerns about whether his actions have conflicted with the Constitution’s letter—or its spirit.So today, we're breaking down the most important constitutional clauses and amendments that have been cited in impeachment proceedings, lawsuits, and public investigations involving the 45th president of the United States.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Jen and Carolyn are tackling one of the most urgent and controversial topics in American politics: Taxing the Rich. From record-breaking billionaire wealth to working families living paycheck to paycheck, America’s wealth gap has never been wider. But what can we actually do about it? And what does it mean to 'tax the rich' in policy terms—not just as a rallying cry, but as a real solution?Institute for Policy Studies (2023). “Billionaire Wealth Surges Amid Crisis.”Federal Reserve, Distributional Financial Accounts (2023).Joint Committee on Taxation (2021). Analysis of the “For the 99.5% Act.”ProPublica (2021). “The Secret IRS Files.”Senate Budget Committee – Bernie Sanders (2021). Wealth Tax Fact Sheet.Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances (2019)ProPublica, “The Secret IRS Files,” 2021Institute for Policy Studies, 2023Chetty, R. et al. "Where is the Land of Opportunity?"Bertrand & Mullainathan. "Are Emily and Greg More Employable Than Lakisha and Jamal?"Pager, D. "The Mark of a Criminal Record"Sowell, T. Various works on cultural factorsHochschild, J. "Facing Up to the American Dream"Milanović, B. "Global Inequality"McCloskey, D. "Bourgeois Dignity"Lareau, A. "Unequal Childhoods"Sandel, M. "The Tyranny of Merit"Goldin, C. Nobel Prize research on gender gapsDesmond, M. "Evicted"Gilens, M. Research on policy outcomes and wealthMounk, Y. (2018). "The People vs. Democracy: Why Our Freedom Is in Danger and How to Save It." Harvard University Press.Inglehart, R. & Norris, P. (2016). "Trump, Brexit, and the Rise of Populism: Economic Have-Nots and Cultural Backlash." Harvard Kennedy School Faculty Research Working Paper Series.Bartels, L. (2020). "Ethnic Antagonism Erodes Republicans' Commitment to Democracy." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Piketty, T. (2020). "Capital and Ideology." Harvard University Press.Porges, S. (2011). "The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation." 

Send us Fan MailBecause Jen and Carolyn are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we decided to focus this episode exclusively on the “colorful” cornucopia that comprises the ladies of the MAGA movement. While some are loud and proud, willing to flagrantly vape and engage in sex acts in public, others, like Ginni Thomas, make moves more insidiously. While they all differ slightly, there’s one thing they’re united on-they want the US to be a pilar of Christian Nationalism. So, get ready to be zapped by Jewish space lasers because we’re going to tell you all about the scary comments and contributions made by these ultra-conservative “ladies” who want nothing more than for the US to become a Christian Nationalist State. In Your Face: The Brutal Aesthetics of MAGA – Mother JonesCan we just leave God out of it? - Roll CallThe Roots of Christian Nationalism Go Back Further Than You ThinkMeet the Women Leading the Christian Right | SojournersDu Mez, K. K. (2020). Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation. Liveright Publishing.Between Nationalism and Civilizationism: The European Populist Moment in Comparative Perspective.The Psychology of System Justification and the Palliative Function of Ideology.Mahmood, S. (2005). Politics of Piety: The Islamic Revival and the Feminist Subject. Princeton University Press.Ferber, A. L. (1999). White Man Falling: Race, Gender, and White Supremacy. Rowman & Littlefield.Feminism, Psychology, and the Gendering of Neoliberal Subjectivity.Christian America in Black and White: Racial Identity, Religious-National Group Boundaries, and Explanations for Racial InequalityPerceptions of Social Dangers, Moral Foundations, and Political OrientationSystem-Justifying Beliefs and Psychological Well-Being: The Roles of Group Status and Identity. Elisha, O., Ping, H., & Schnabel, L. (2022). Prosperity Gospel and National Economic Attitudes: Examining Religious Influences on Economic Policy Preferences. Social Forces, 100(4), 1774–1798.How the Right Usurped Religious Freedom. Journal for the Scientific Study of ReligionAmerican Apocalypse: A History of Modern EvangelicalismJohnson, E. S. (2017). "I Have a God-Given Right to Speak Out": Christian Women's Activism in the 2016 Presidential Election. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 56(3), 646–659.Divine Boundaries: How Religion Shapes Citizens' Attitudes Toward Immigrants.Evangelical Ambivalence Toward Gays and Lesbians. Sociology of ReligionTaking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United S

Send us Fan MailToday, we’re diving into a conversation that feels more urgent than ever: censorship. Across the country — in classrooms, libraries, boardrooms, and online spaces — powerful forces are working overtime to erase the voices of women, LGBTQ folks, and Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Books are being banned. Websites are being scrubbed. Histories are being rewritten. And the dangerous truth is: when we lose these ystories, we lose part of ourselves. On this show, we believe that storytelling is survival. That visibility matters. That history belongs to everyone — not just those in power. And so today, we're going to name what’s happening, why it matters, and how communities are fighting back to protect the voices that shape who we are and where we’re going. So buckle up, friends. Because censorship might be loud right now — but Jen & Carolyn are louder.Levy, L. W. (1985). Emergence of a Free Press. Oxford University Press.Alexander, L. (2005). Is There a Right of Freedom of Expression? Cambridge University Press.Stone, G. R. (2004). Perilous Times: Free Speech in Wartime from The Sedition Act of 1798 to The War on Terrorism. W.W. Norton.Kennedy, D. M. (1980). Over Here: The First World War and American Society. Oxford University PressAmerican Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). (2011). Surveillance Under the Patriot Act.Greenwald, G. (2014). No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State.ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. Libraries and the Patriot Act.Navasky, V. (1980). Naming Names. Viking Press.American Library Association (2023). State of America's Libraries Report.Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation. W.W. Norton & Company.Dana, D. (2018). The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation. W.W. Norton & Company.DeGruy, J. (2005). Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing.Martín-Baró, I. (1994). Writings for a Liberation Psychology. Harvard University Press.Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation. Wiley.Van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.Menakem, R. (2017). My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies. Central Recovery Press.de Sousa Santos, B. (2014). Epistemologies of the South: Justice Against Epistemicide. Routledge.Tuck, E., & Yang, K. W. (2012). Decolonization is not a metaphor. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society, 1(1), 1-40.PEN America. (2023). Banned in the USA: The Growing Movement to Censor Books in Schools.Carello, J., & Butler, L. D. (2015). Practicing what we teach: Trauma-informed educational practice. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 35(3), 262-278.

Send us Fan MailWTF is a tariff and will the imposition of tariffs on foreign imports help or hinder the US economy? Join Jen and Carolyn as we attempt to break down complex economic policies into real-world impacts. Today, we’re diving into tariffs—what they are, how they've shaped U.S. history, and why Trump's aggressive tariff strategy could put the U.S. economy at risk of a recession.U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Impact of Tariffs on the Economy (2023)Moody’s Analytics – Economic Cost of Trump’s Trade War (2019)Brookings Institution – How Tariffs Hurt U.S. Jobs (2020)CNBC – Gary Cohn on Trump’s Tariffs (2020)Congressional Budget Office (CBO) – The Long-Term Effects of Trade Wars (2022) The White House The White House Reuters CRFB AP NewsProspect Theory in Psychology, Nickerson, Charlotte, 2023Prospect Theory, BritannicaLive Streaming Commerce and Customer’s Purchase Intention: Reduction Perspective, Lu_Chen Science Direct, 2021Fernbach, P. M., Kan, C., & Lynch, J. G., Jr. (2015). Squeezed: Coping with constraint through efficiency and prioritization. Journal of Consumer Research, 41(5), 1204–1227.American Journal of Consumer Psychology (Gathergood & Weber, 2017) Dholakia, Value Based Pricing, Harvard Business ReviewPorges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. W.W. Norton & Company.Dana, D. (2018). The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation. Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology.Harris, R. (2019). ACT Made Simple: An Easy-to-Read Primer on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New Harbinger Publications.Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2016). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Process and Practice of Mindful Change. Guilford Publications.Comas-Díaz, L. (2016). "Racial trauma in people of color: Implications for identity and mental health." American Psychologist, 74(1), 1-12.APA (2021). Stress in America: The Impact of Economic Inequality. American Psychological Association.Adler, N. E., & Stewart, J. (2010). "Health disparities across

Send us Fan MailThe U.S. government has a documented history of conducting unethical experiments on people, often without their consent. These experiments, spanning from the 19th century through the late 20th century, were sometimes justified under the guise of medical research, national security, or public health. Join Jen and Carolyn as they take you on a disturbing historical journey highlighting the most egregious experiments conducted by our government-mostly on American citizens. Prepare to be disgusted and angry!https://ew.com/chaos-the-manson-murders-biggest-bombshells-netflix-11692444?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://www.thesun.co.uk/news/33731260/charles-manson-cia-followers-mind-altering-experiment-conspiracy-murders/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://decider.com/2025/03/07/chaos-the-manson-murders-netflix-doc-mk-ultra-cia-dr-jolly-west/?utm_source=chatgpt.comhttps://people.com/what-was-mkultra-chaos-manson-murders-11692546?utm_source=chatgpt.comDeciderWikipediaWikipediaBulletin of the Atomic ScientistsMissouri IndependentKinzer, Stephen. Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control (2019)CIA Declassified Documents on MK-Ultra (National Security Archive)Permanente MedicineUCLAScienceDirectU.S. Army Chemical Corps Declassified Documents (National Security Archive)Institute of Medicine Report: Long-Term Health Effects of Project SHADDepartment of Veterans Affairs (VA.gov)Welsome, Eileen. The Plutonium Files: America’s Secret Medical Experiments in the Cold War (1999)

Send us Fan MailCan Jen & Carolyn pronounce "oligarchy?" Apparently not. But do we know that the US is being controlled by one? Hell yeah, we do! Oligarchy is a word that has been popping up a lot lately to describe the Trump administration and we think it fits! Simply put, an oligarchy is a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.We think this shoe fits, so we’re going to break down the elements of an oligarchy as well as try to answer the question “has the U.S. actually been an oligarchy (or at least influenced by oligarchs) for over a century?” Spoiler alert-we think the answer is “yes” and we want to trace the historical line from robber barons to tech bros!  Encyclopaedia BritannicaWikipediaWikipediaWikipedia‘Headed for technofascism’: the rightwing roots of Silicon ValleyRudman, L. A., & Fairchild, K. (2004). Reactions to counterstereotypic behavior: The role of backlash in cultural stereotype maintenance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87(2), 157–176.Dobbin, F., & Kalev, A. (2016). Why diversity programs fail. Harvard Business Review, 94(7-8), 52-60.Wynn, A. T., & Correll, S. J. (2018). Puncturing the pipeline: Do technology companies alienate women in recruiting sessions? Social Studies of Science, 48(1), 149-164.Hoffman, S. J., & Tan, C. (2022). Anti-diversity rhetoric in the tech industry: A computational analysis of online discourse. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 6(CSCW1), 1-28.Conger, K., Wakabayashi, D., & Benner, K. (2017). Google fires engineer who wrote memo questioning women in tech. The New York Times.

Send us Fan MailWho the hell is Elon Musk? No, he isn’t technically our president, but he may as well be. I think a lot of us, especially those of us who live in California are a bit confused about Elon’s descent into MAGA madness. Wasn’t he the guy who helped design the most popular electric car in an effort to save the environment from climate change? Or, was all of his rhetoric about saving the planet tied to his need to “save” humanity while amassing billions of dollars? Join Jen and Carolyn as they break down Elon’s childhood, his early days in business, and his ultimate leadership role in the Trump administration as Chief Fascist. Encyclopedia BritannicaSky NewsThe WeekNPRElon Musk’s journey from humanitarian to poster of rightwing memesElon Musk’s journey from climate champion to backing EV-bashing TrumpElon Musk Shows: It's Up to Us to Stop Climate ChaosWikipediaCommonwealth ClubPeopleAxiosBusiness InsiderReutersAFGEhttps://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/how-many-federal-employees-fired-jobs-cut-trump-doge.html?utm_campaign=feed-part&utm_medium=social_acct&utm_source=chatgpt.com WSJ-Musk and Drug Use 2024CNN-Musk and Ketamine 2024CNN Don Lemon Interview with MuskDaily Mail-Musk and Plastic Surgery, 2024Elon Musk’s Psychology-Short Form, 2023Mind Psychiatrist, 2025-Is Elon Musk A Sociopath?

Send us Fan MailEver wonder why so many migrants from Central America, South America, and Mexico come to the U.S. in search of a better life? Hint: it’s not because America is the greatest country on earth. It has more to do with the lingering effects of American colonial interventionist policies and coups orchestrated and perpetrated by the CIA. Join Jen and Carolyn as they discuss the dirty deeds of the CIA and how the overthrowing of democratically elected governments results in long-term destabilization of the region and out migration. We’ll also throw in some crappy economic policies like NAFTA and tie that into why desperate folks come to the US from Mexico. This one is bound to get us in trouble with the government and we say “bring it.”   Meet 'The Brothers' Who Shaped U.S. Policy, Inside And OutBackground on the Guatemalan Coup of 1954June 27, 1954: Elected Guatemalan Leader Overthrown in CIA-Backed CoupThe Brothers: John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles, and Their Secret World War, Stephen KinzerKornbluh, The Pinochet FileCenter for Justice and AccountabilityCivil war years in GuatamalaNAFTA and Mexican ImmigrationNAFTA's Promise and Reality: Lessons from Mexico for the HemisphereNAFTA and Its Twenty-Year Effect on Immigration 

Send us Fan MailWe don’t think anyone who is critical of our government or economic system would be surprised to learn that profiting off of tragedy is big business in the U.S. Disaster capitalism refers to a phenomenon in which businesses, governments, or other entities capitalize on disasters—whether natural (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemics) or man-made (e.g., wars, economic crises)—to implement policies or practices that may exacerbate inequality or prioritize profit over public well-being. The term gained prominence through Naomi Klein's 2007 book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, which critiques how crises have historically been used as opportunities to advance neoliberal economic agendas. Join Jen and Carolyn as they break down the sick economic strategy that amounts to profiting off of peoples’ pain and loss. Klein, N. (2007). The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism.Baumeister, R. F., & Tierney, J. (2011). Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength.Adams, V., et al. (2009). Katrina’s Imprint: Race and Vulnerability in America.Seligman, M. E. (1972). Helplessness: On Depression, Development, and Death.Norris, F. H., et al. (2008). "Community resilience as a metaphor, theory, set of capacities, and strategy for disaster readiness." American Journal of Community Psychology.Solnit, R. (2009). A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster.Dynes, R. R. (2006). "Social Capital: Dealing with Community Emergencies." Homeland Security Affairs.Naomi Klein: how power profits from disaster | Hurricane Katrina | The GuardianThe role of public and private sectors in disaster capitalism: An international overviewCalifornia Moves to Stop Predatory Sales of Fire-Stricken Homes - Business InsiderJanuary 2025 Southern California wildfires - WikipediaPolymarket users are hoping to profit from the devastation in California, betting on how far the deadly fires will spreadCA Tax Loophole Benefits Oil and Gas Companies, Undermines Firefighting Revenue | Truthout

Send us Fan MailBoycotts! We don’t talk about them much anymore. Still, considering that the founding of our country technically started with American revolutionaries boycotting British goods, we think it’s important to discuss their history as well as where boycotts have worked and where they could work again. This is America and the one language we all speak is the dialect of the dollar. But, do boycotts actually hurt corporate revenue or is the potential or actual harm to a business’s reputation the tactic that moves the needle? All this and more with Jen & Carolyn this week.   https://www.aclu.org/news/racial-justice/power-boycott?utm_https://fiveable.me/key-terms/hs-ethnic-studies/consumer-boycotts?utm_https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boycott?utm_https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boycott?utm_https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2023/12/22/do-boycotts-actually-work-examining-the-use-of-boycotts-to-drive-social-change/?utm_https://nypost.com/2024/08/31/business/how-anti-israel-protests-are-costing-companies-billions/?utm_Do Boycotts Work?: Institute for Policy Research - Northwestern UniversityMcDonald’s drops diversity initiatives after pressure from activistAnti-Trump Burnout: The Resistance Says It’s Exhausted - The New York TimesWhy protests work, even when not everybody likes them | Waging NonviolenceIn times of crisis we need more people power — mass trainings are the key | Waging NonviolenceFestinger, L. (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford University PressWood, W., & Neal, D. T. (2009). The habitual consumer. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 19(4), 579-592.Leary, M. R., & Kowalski, R. M. (1990). Impression management: A literature review and two-component model. Psychological Bulletin, 107(1), 34-47.Protest Fatigue-The Outline, Moskovitz January 2018

Send us Fan MailOn December 4, 2024, a young man named Luigi Mangione, gunned down United Healthcare Insurance CEO, Brian Thompson. Instead of reacting with shock and disgust, people took to the internet to defend Luigi’s actions, offering fake alibis and posting health insurance horror stories. The resounding sense of shared disdain for the health insurance industry was palpable and, as far as Jen and Carolyn are concerned, totally understandable. Join Jen and Carolyn as they review the history of the insurance industry with a special focus on the reprehensible health insurance industry. The History of InsuranceFrom boats to blockchain: The history of insurance in the United StatesThe hidden links between slavery and Wall StreetHow health insurance changed from protecting patients to seeking profit | Stanford MedicineU.S. Health and Medical Insurance Industry Report 2024, Featuring Profiles of Key Players UnitedHealth Group, Elevance Health, Cigna Group, HCSC Group, Centene Corporation & More - Forecast to 2029https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/us-healthcare-insurance-companies-ceo-shooting-z597qlq2n?utm_source=chatgpt.com&region=globalBest Countries for Quality of Life | U.S. NewsThe Behavioral Health Care Affordability Problem - Center for American Progresshttps://www.buzzfeed.com/meganeliscomb/health-insurance-horror-stories3 Medical Billing Horror Stories that Prove the Healthcare Revenue Cycle Is Way Too Complicated | AKASAHow Often Do Health Insurers Deny Patient Claims?-US News 2024Analysis: Health Insurance Claims denials are on the rise to the detriment of patients-PBS 2023Why do so many Americans get their health insurance claims denied-Janey Nguyen 2024Racism, Inequality and Health Care for African America-Jamila Taylor-2019Advancing Racial Equity in U.S Health Care-The CommonWealth Fund 2024Structural Racism In Historical and Modern US Health Care Policy-Health Affairs Vol 41: 2 

Send us Fan MailHere we are at part deux or as Jen’s kid would say “part doo doo.” Project 2025 is indeed a flaming pile of feces and in this episode, Jen and Carolyn will be discussing just how this plan intends to dismantle federal agencies in accordance with a Christian, rightwing agenda. We’ll be discussing how far encompassing this plan will be for virtually everyone in the US if the guidelines within its 900 pages are implemented. If you think you won’t be impacted by what amounts to an assault on the things most Americans hold dear, think again. Unless you’re a super rich white dude or a corporation, this plan is NOT for you and we have the receipts to prove it.Medical Debt In US Associated With Worse Mental and Physical Health-ABC News 2024 Judge pauses lawsuit alleging Trump’s Education secretary pick enabled sexual abuse of children decades ago | CNN PoliticsProject 2025 on Social Safety Net: A Social Work PerspectiveElon Musk Equates DEI With Racism. An ER Doc Offers A Different TakeElon Musk criticized by civil rights groups for anti-DEI postsProject 2025 Prescription Drug Plan Would Increase Costs for as Many as 18.5 Million Seniors and Others With Medicare - Center for American ProgressHow Project 2025 will gut DEI - Fast CompanyAnti-DEI Efforts Are the Latest Attack on Racial Equity and Free Speech | ACLUAnti-DEI Efforts Are the Latest Attack on Racial Equity and Free Speech | ACLUResearch reveals anti-Black racism behind DEI backlash - The Cincinnati Heraldfile:///C:/Users/jsalerno/Downloads/Indivisible_A%20Practical%20Guide%20to%20Democracy%20on%20the%20Brink.pdf

Send us Fan MailWho the hell has time to read all 900 pages of this horrid document? Not us, but we do have time to put together a two-part episode on the low lights of this truly frightening nonsense. Project 2025 is a  playbook that outlines the forthcoming, Trump-led  right wing power grab of our democracy. It also wages a war on women and all things perceived to be “woke”- you know like human rights and civil liberties. For the first part of this episode, we’ll be focusing on the latter, breaking down whose rights are at stake and just how liberties will be stripped. For Part 2, we’ll focus on the plan to erode and permanently alter our democracy. Prepare to be depressed, because it’s Project 2025 time!Project 2025, Explained | American Civil Liberties UnionWhat is Project 2025? Wish list for a Trump presidency, explainedmission of the Heritage FoundationWhat is the Heritage Foundation, the group behind the terrifying Republican Project 2025 agenda?Gareth Gore - Opus Dei, Human Trafficking, & Project 2025Ten Ways Project 2025 Could Undermine Workers’ RightsFact Sheets: The Harmful Effects of Project 2025, by State - Center for American ProgressGroveling at the Feet of Greed: How U.S. Politicians Sacrifice Lives for Profit and Power — Hampton InstituteSTOP Project 2025 | National Urban LeagueProject 2025 Means Gutting Key Environmental Laws. We’ll Fight Back. - EarthjusticeHow to Combat the Dangers of Project 2025 - Democracy DocketRep. Pressley Joins Task Force to Counter Project 2025 and Defend DemocracyDownload The Action Builder Organizing GuideUnderstanding Apathy and Lack of Emotion-Healthline 2021First They Came: The Poem of Protest-Positive Action in Housing-2021

Send us Fan MailCarolyn and Jen are still having difficulty wrapping their heads around the sad fact that Roe v Wade has been overturned. With the re-election of Trump, the man who proudly takes credit for depriving millions of women of the right to do what they want with their bodies, we fear things are only going to get worse. Join Jen and Carolyn as they discuss the origin of abortion in the U.S. and the horrific methods that women had to resort to before Roe became the law of the land. We’ll also discuss the political landscape that will absolutely contribute to a further revocation of our rights. As always, Jen and Carolyn will provide tips and tactics for fighting back against the primitive screwheads who want nothing more than to see women reduced to sacred vessels with no rights. Abortion Is Central to the History of Reproductive Health Care in AmericaAfter Roe Fell: Abortion Laws by StateWhat the data says about abortion in the U.S. | Pew Research CenterThe Deaths and Agonies of Trump’s Abortion BansOpinion | How Trump Could Ban Abortion Without Congress - POLITICOUnderstanding Project 2025’s Radical Anti-Abortion Policies - National Women's Law CenterTop 7 Things You Can Do Right Now for U.S. Abortion Rights - Center for Reproductive Rights %.APA Task Force on Mental Health and AbortionWhat Happens When Women are Denied Abortions- New York TimesANSIRH-The Turnaway study summaryThe abortion and mental health controversy: A comprehensive literature review of common ground agreements, disagreements, actionable recommendations, and research opportunities-Reardon 2018Why womens rights are valuable in America-March 2024 Shivangi MisraWomen’s rights are going backward in the world-LatioAmerica21 María Villarreal-March 2023The Government has a long history of controlling women, The Brennan Center-Elizabeth Hirra 2021 

Send us Fan MailWell, here we are finishing this episode up the night after the election and boy have things changed. In spite of his comments about shooting Liz Cheney and not minding if folks shot at the press, in spite of his unhinged, world salad rants that make George W. look like a goddamn poet laureate, in spite of his recent comments about how he should have never left the white house, this piece of felonious trash who can’t even legally do business in New York and can’t vote in most states is president of our country yet again. We absolutely hate how this episode is now instructional rather than a reflection on how we almost became a fascist country.   The Authoritarian Playbook - Protect DemocracyThis is how democracies die | Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt | The GuardianDespair and Resignation Are Not A Strategy: How to Fight Back In A Second Trump Term. | ACLURussian “Firehose of Falsehood” Propaganda Model-RANDHow Do Dictatorships Survive in the 21st Century?-Carnegie Reporter 2022 Why Do People Choose Authoritarianism Over Democracy?-Psychology Today 2024Jungian Archetypes

Send us Fan MailDid you know that cemeteries were some of the first public parks Americans had access to? Wild! Whether you think they’re hauntingly beautiful and historic like Jen and Carolyn or, they give you the creeps, you’ll appreciate this episode on the origin of cemeteries in the United States. Bust out your black lipstick and join Jen and Carolyn as they break down the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard and discuss why cemeteries often evoke feelings of peace. You'll also learn about the "tombstone tourism" industry and hear all about the time Jen dragged Carolyn to Anne Rice's grave in 105 degree Nola heat!   Here's The Difference Between A Cemetery And A Graveyard | HuffPost Lifehttps://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/03/our-first-public-parks-the-forgotten-history-of-cemeteries/71818/The Potential of Our Decay: Cemeteries That Save the American Landscape | Folklife Magazinehttps://www.theepochtimes.com/bright/tombstone-tourism-isnt-as-somber-as-it-sounds-5575210?welcomeuser=1https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/picnic-in-cemeteries-americaCemeteries - Town of ColmaReligious Space, Chapter 32: Situating the DeadVisiting Cemeteries and Its Psychological ImpactNational Geographic: A Mysterious Human Species may have been the first to bury their deadDeath and Dying: How different cultures view the endDeath and Funerals in World Religions-Jennifer Uzellhttps://www.britannica.com/list/7-unique-burial-rituals-across-the-worldhttps://religionunplugged.com/news/2023/1/29/images-from-the-indonesian-xyz#:~:text=The%20Ma'nene%20ritual%20involves,while%20the%20bodies%20are%20out.

Send us Fan MailEver wonder why we still have, and if we even need, the electoral college? Yeah, bro-us too. Join Jen and Carolyn as we discuss the racist origins of the electoral college, as well as the ways in which the current system is manipulated in order to favor a specific party (we’re looking at you, Republicans). We’ll try to answer the big question that so many Americans have-is this antiquated system still even necessary? Electoral College | Definition, Map, History, Votes, & Facts | BritannicaWhat is the Electoral College? | National ArchivesExplainer-Key Facts About the Electoral College and the 2024 US Presidential RaceThe Electoral College’s Racist Origins | Brennan Center for JusticeWhy Should We Fix the Electoral College? It's Racist, Experts SayThe National Popular Vote, Explained | Brennan Center for JusticeIt's time to abolish the Electoral College2 Republican States May Manipulate Electoral College Outcome to Favor Trump | TruthoutConservative and Liberal Brains Might Have Some Real Differences | Scientific AmericanThe Neuroscience Can Explain Why Voting is Driven by Emotion-The ConversationThe Myth of the Irrational Voter-Psychology TodayPew Research Political Topography QuizCurrent Understanding of Microaggression: Impact on Individuals and Society-APSFrequently Asked Questions | National Archives 

Send us Fan MailFolks, I don't know what the hell happened to our audio on this one. Jen sounds like she's talking into a pillow and Carolyn sounds like she has a sinus infection. Forgive us!That presidential debate was the last damn straw. Donald Trump is a racist, sexist, lover of authoritarianism hellbent on dismantling the foundation of our democracy. If you think Jen and Carolyn are being hyperbolic, think again. Allow us to take you on a journey through Trump’s childhood, his rise to fame, and ultimately, his embarrassing bungling of one of the most sacred and significant jobs in the world. In the spirit of Mary Trump, we’ll go deep into Trump’s psychology and discuss some of the pivotal factors that contributed to the development of his most toxic traits. We’ll also take a psychological dive into what happened on January 6th and why so many were galvanized to participate in an attempted coup on behalf of their beloved “leader.” Oh, and this needs to be two parts because, as we said in grad school, there is much to unpack! U.S. Capitol riot | January 6, 2021 | HISTORYJan. 6 Capitol Rioters Arrests and Sentences So Far | TIMETrump ‘lit that fire’ of Capitol insurrection, Jan 6 Committee report says | PBS NewsThe Jan. 6 committee says Trump broke these laws. Here’s a guide | PBS NewsTrump's 4 indictments in detail: A quick-look guide to charges, trial dates and key players for each case - CBS NewsThe Cult of Trump: A Leading Cult Expert Explains How the President Uses Mind Control: 9781508294177: Steven Hassan: BooksTrump’s Personality Cult Plays a Part in His Political Appeal | Scientific AmericanThe Shared Psychosis of Donald Trump and his Loyalists-2021 Scientific AmericanA Complete Psychological Analysis of Trump’s  Support-2018 Psychology Today 

Send us Fan MailThat most recent presidential debate was the last damn straw. Donald Trump is a racist, sexist, lover of authoritarianism hellbent on dismantling the foundation of our democracy. If you think Jen and Carolyn are being hyperbolic, think again. Allow us to take you on a journey through Trump’s childhood, his rise to fame, and ultimately, his embarrassing bungling of one of the most sacred and significant jobs in the world. In the spirit of Mary Trump, we’ll go deep into Trump’s psychology and discuss some of the pivotal factors that contributed to the development of his most toxic traits. We’ll also take a psychological dive into what happened on January 6th and why so many were galvanized to participate in an attempted coup on behalf of their beloved “leader.” Oh, and this needs to be two parts because, as we said in grad school, there is much to unpack! Trump the 'Bully': How Childhood & Military School Shaped the Future President | FRONTLINEDonald Trump is the product of abuse and neglect. His story is common, even for the powerful and wealthy. | PACEsConnectionDonald Trump's life story: From real estate to politics - BBC NewsDecades-Old Housing Discrimination Case Plagues Donald Trumphttps://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/a-timeline-of-donald-trumps-creepiness-while-he-owned-miss-universe-191860/Harris takes a question about her identity as an opportunity to examine Trump's record on raceUSA TODAY exclusive: Hundreds allege Donald Trump doesn’t pay his billsHere's a Timeline of Every Time Donald Trump Ran for President - TV GuideRobert Reich (10 Worst Things About The Trump Presidency Donald...)Diagnosing Trump with a Mental Illness-Psychology Today 2021The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump by Bandy LeeThe Vindication of Bandy Lee-Mother Jones-2022How Affluent Perpetrators Get Away with Sexual Assault-KMD Law-2022From Reality TV to Real Presidency-Bert Gambini-2018What Donald Trumps Most Loyal Followers Have In Common-Psychology Today 2024

Send us Fan MailJen and Carolyn are jumping into scary season with both feet! Turn out the lights, pour yourself a pumpkin spice whatever, and fire up a fall scented candle because Jen and Carolyn are going to tell you all about Urban Legends. We’ll take a look at the origins of infamous urban legends like Bloody Mary, hook hand dude, and La Llorona as well as explore whether or not there is any truth to these tales that keep us in line and up at night. This multi-cultural journey will take a look at the psychology behind the longevity of these tales; exploring why after centuries in some instances, these stories persist and still scare the crap out of us. Top 10 urban legends | Children's books | The Guardian10 Creepy Urban Legends From Around The WorldDon’t read these international urban legends if you like sleephttps://www.watchmojo.com/articles/top-20-urban-legends-that-turned-out-to-be-true/a-secret-murderSlender Man Stabbing - Crime MuseumThe impact of urban legends - The Paisanohttps://rhetoricofmythology.weebly.com/cautionary-tales.htmlUrban Legends How They Start and Why They Persist, Heather Whipps, 2006Joseph M. Stubbersfield , Emma G. Flynn and Jamshid J. Tehrani, Cognitive Evolution and the Transmission of Popular Narratives: A Literature Review and Application to Urban Legends, The Journal Evolutionary Studies in Imaginative Culture, 2017Naveed Saleh, 2022 10 Realities About Urban Legends

Send us Fan MailEverything, and we mean everything, is increasing in cost and most of us are feeling the pain. From the grocery store to the gas station, average Americans like Jen and Carolyn are contending with what economists are calling the impact of inflation. Join Jen and Carolyn as they muddle through defining inflation, but also examine how much inflation is actually responsible for the rising costs of so many goods and services that we need to survive. Is there something more nefarious afoot? We think so and we’re going to tell you all about it. Inflation: Prices on the RiseWhy is inflation so high? An economist explains why everyday essentials cost moreLess Takeout, More Produce Swapping: How Inflation Is Altering People's BehaviorThe mystery of rising prices. Are greedy corporations to blame for inflation?New Groundwork Report Finds Corporate Profits Driving More Than Half of Inflation.How Inflation and Unemployment Are Related.Economists challenge maxim: For inflation to go down, unemployment needs to go up : NPR 

Send us Fan MailWhy the hell do so many humans enjoy the feeling of being afraid? We’re pretty sure that this is unique to human animals and probably has a lot to do with “fictional” fear vs. a genuine threat of, say, being literally eaten by something. Regardless of the source, fear is stressful as hell, yet so many of us legitimately love the feeling of being afraid. What the hell is wrong with us humans? Join Jen and Carolyn as we explore the psychology of fear and dissect why so many of us relish in the feeling of being scared out of our minds. The Science of Scare Why Do We Like To Get Scared?https://www.today.com/health/why-do-we-be-scared-science-behind-scream-t166133'Monster Inside' Filmmaker Responds to McKamey Manor Probe (Exclusive)The Biology of Fear-Ralph Adolphs 2013Why We Do Like To Be Scared-Robbie Ludwig, Phy.D, 2019-Today ShowNeurotransmitters-Cleveland ClinicHow Fear Unfolds in our Brains-Mario Aguilara, UCSD 2024What Makes Someone an Adrenaline Junkie?

Send us Fan MailWhether you’re a summer Olympics fan or prefer winter sports, this worldwide competition featuring the planet’s greatest athletes is captivating. From breathtaking gymnastics routines to triple axles on the ice, the Olympics have been around for literally thousands of years. Join Jen and Carolyn as they delve into the history of the Olympics, the challenges Olympians face both in and outside of the spotlight, as well as the real and contrived controversies that have always been a part of this event. 'A deep depression after the Olympics.' The challenges facing athletes at home'Can't even pay my rent': Many U.S. Olympic athletes earn less than $15k a year | MorningstarOlympic athletes face financial hardship - Jul. 10, 2012https://www.statista.com/statistics/1482511/highest-paid-athletes-paris-olympics/#:~:text=The%20highest%2Dpaid%20athlete%20at,Golf%20tour%20in%20late%202023.It's the 'gender equal' Olympics, but that's not stopping the sexist remarks | CBC SportsSimone Biles, Sha’Carri Richardson, and How the Olympics Failed Black Women (ep. 169) | ACLUScrutiny around gender rules, identity persists for female athletes of color | AP NewsBillie Jean King says Paris Olympics shows progress in women's sports - Fast CompanyThe Special Olympics-HistoryMental Health in Sports-Psychology Today 2023Time Capsule, The Early Days of Sport Psychology-APA 2008How Sport Psychology has Changed in 15 Years-AMPlify Sport Psychology 2014Gender Inequality In Sports-Women Face a DoubleBlind-HillTop Monitor 2019Women in Sports-The ConversationBill Simmons Podcast: The Future of Everything-August 2024

Send us Fan MailIf you grew up in the 80s and 90s like Jen and Carolyn, then you know how iconic supermodels were. Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss-these were the women who represented feminine perfection. Oh, and don’t get us started on male models like Tyson Beckford, Fabio Lanzoni, and Jason Lewis. Hot times, my friends. But they were also dark times and, as we delve into the history of modeling, you’ll learn that darkness has been an ever present theme in this industry. Join Jen and Carolyn as they walk the historical catwalk starting with the early days of modeling and landing smack dab in the middle of the current state of the industry. Work! The Evolution of the SupermodelSecrets From The Dark Side Of The Modeling Industry - BuzznetChristopher Wilder - WikipediaRodney Alcala, 'The Dating Game Killer,' Used Photography to Lure His Victims - A&E True Crime‘We need to speak up’: How fashion mogul Peter Nygard’s sons helped his alleged sexual assault victimsThe Changing Beauty Standards of the Modeling IndustryHow White Supremacy and Capitalism Influence the Beauty Standards-Teen Vogue 2020Dissecting Whiteness as a Beauty Standard-Daily Trojan 2023The Model AllianceModels Face Routine Exploitation, Mental Health Problems-Psychology Today 2018The evolution of the modelling industry - Shift LondonModel Existence-Psychology Today 1994/2016

Send us Fan MailStep right up and listen to Jen and Carolyn’s episode on the history of the circus! Whether you’re a “freak show” enthusiast, fan of clowns, or just plain love animal abuse, we guarantee this episode will have something for everyone. The circus is one of those uniquely American pastimes that seems to have largely disappeared from public view. Join Jen and Carolyn as they cover the history, spectator psychology, and overall fascination with what was regarded for nearly two centuries as the greatest show on earth.  America’s Big Circus Spectacular Has a Long and Cherished History | SmithsonianCircus History: Freak Shows and Sideshows"The Freaks": How Two Kidnapped Albino African-American Brothers Were Forced into Circus StardomWelcome to Gibtown, the last 'freakshow' town in America | Florida | The GuardianGunther Gebel-Williams-NY TimesMake*A*Circus-WikipediaTaking Society to the Circus-Everyday Sociology Blog 2018Georg Simmel-The Metropolis and Mental LifeWho Exploits?-The Trusted One, The Dark One or Both?-Journal of Personality and Indiv Differences  2023