Shows
Highlands BunkerE373 - Revolution is an Inheritance (w/The Crew)Kirsten, Bill, Karl, and Rob discuss One Battle After Another, the novel it was based on Vineland, and the real historical background and context for the types of events covered in the movie.Show Notes:Mother Country Radicals
2025-11-281h 13Highlands BunkerE369 - Keeper of the Flame (w/John Flaherty, Madinah Wilson-Anton)Representative Emeritus John Kowalko passed away this past weekend at the age of 80. In this episode, we remember his legacy.Past Kowalko Episodes:E14 - A Cabal of Corruption (w/John Kowalko)E167 - Representative Emeritus (w/John Kowalko)E268 - Medicare Disadvantage (w/ John Kowalko)The Fun Part - The People GaggedE296 - They Propose, We Dispose (w/ John Kowalko)Karl's piece: https://delawarecall.com/2025/10/26/keeper-of-the-flame/
2025-10-311h 30Highlands Bunker E367 - If It Ain't Got Views, It Ain't The News (w/Madinah Wilson-Anton, Karl Baker)Madinah takes Austin. Then, Spotlight Delaware Deputy Editor Karl Baker joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the state of the media nationally and the pressures facing reporters locally.Show Notes:State Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton shows off comedy chops on 'Kill Tony'
2025-10-171h 18Highlands BunkerE362 - The Chicken Men (w/Harvey J Kaye, Karl Stomberg)Historian Harvey J Kaye joined Rob and Karl in the virtual bunker to talk about the current moment in American politics (recorded before this Wednesday) with an eye towards a surge in leftist candidates across the country. Then, they discuss Karl's recent essay on the labor history of Delaware's chicken plants.Show Notes:The Chicken War
2025-09-121h 09
Highlands BunkerE359 - Inexperienced Dover Man (w/The Crew)Karl and Bill join Rob in the bunker to talk about Phillies legend Dick Allen (not as a metaphor), the history of the Delaware Way, and even a little bit about the property tax special session. Also, introducing the inaugural "Bill's Picks."57:15 is the timestamp you're looking for.Show Notes:Black AugustLife After BidenCoverage of NOCAP Town Hall
2025-08-151h 08Highlands BunkerE352 - Bunker Mindset, Derogatory (w/The Crew)Karl and Bill join Rob in the bunker to talk about the latest debacle around Rep. Stell Parker Selby's resignation, as well as Karl's op-ed about the anti-democratic nature of Delaware's Democratic leadership.Show Notes:Support and pushback over bill to prevent local agreements with ICECoast TV Interviews One and TwoDelaware’s Bunker Mindset
2025-06-271h 10Highlands BunkerE349 - Unwelcomefest (w/Karl The Producer)Karl joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the first meeting of the Wilmington Homelessness Taskforce, and whether or not we can fix all of our problems with abundance. Then, they talk about whether or not the Democratic Party actually matters and what the Democratic Party even is.Show Notes:Wilmington Homelessness TaskforceWhat We Talk About When We Talk About “The Party”Ted Cruz, John Kasich join forces to stop Donald Trump
2025-06-061h 03Highlands BunkerE345 - Love, Care, and Understanding (w/The SB 10 Lobbyists)Rob and Karl head down to Legislative Hall in Dover to interview community members and activists who are lobbying in favor of Senate Bill 10, which would allow for compassionate release for prisoners who have served a certain amount of time.Show Notes:Senate Bill 10
2025-05-0939 minHighlands BunkerE339 - Founding Myths of the Delaware Way (w/Karl Stomberg)Karl the Producer joins Rob in the bunker to talk about a series of pieces he wrote in the context of the passage of Senate Bill 21, laying out how the modern Delaware Way developed economically and politically in the 70s and 80s against the backdrop of militant teacher action.Show Notes:Wilmington Federations of Teachers Part One, Two, and ThreeCapital Fight or FlightStorm the Fort
2025-03-281h 09Highlands BunkerE336 - Four Freedoms (w/Sarah McBride)Congresswoman Sarah McBride joins Rob and Andrew Galvin in the bunker to talk about how the Democratic Party is responding to the current moment on issues from the economy to Gaza, and how she's navigating a very difficult situation in DC.After the interview, Rob, Andrew, and Karl have a follow-up conversation diving deeper on the current state of affairs.Show Notes:Rep McBride's first speechFour Freedoms Speech
2025-03-031h 08Highlands BunkerE333 - Babbitt Syndrome (w/The Crew)Recorded on the same day as our first episode in the renovated bunker, Bill and Karl join Rob to talk about the first days of the Trump administration, more about the port and our former governor, and an upcoming podcast on the Knights of Labor.Show Notes:Bethany at the Trump inaugurationFollow Storm the Fort on Blueskyphiladelphiaeagles.com
2025-02-1454 minHighlands BunkerE328 - Madam Governor and Mayor Markell (w/The Crew)Bill and Karl join Rob in the bunker to talk about our new governor, our new mayor, and a variety of other local and national news stories that have been ringing in the new year in 2025.Show Notes:Bethany Hall-Long swearing inGovernor/Mayor Carney reflects
2025-01-101h 03Highlands BunkerE313 - How Will Lobbyists Respond? (w/The Crew)Bill and Karl join Rob in the bunker to talk more about what the next few years might look like in the wake of the September 10th primary.Show Notes:Crime rates dropping
2024-09-2759 minHighlands BunkerE313 - How Will Lobbyists Respond? (w/The Crew)Bill and Karl join Rob in the bunker to talk more about what the next few years might look like in the wake of the September 10th primary.Show Notes:Crime rates dropping
2024-09-2659 minHighlands BunkerE298 - Senate of Ill Repute (w/ Dael Norwood, Chancery Daily)Chance from Chancery Daily and local historian Dael Norwood join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk more about the upcoming changes to the Delaware General Corporation Law, which sailed through the senate despite opposition from dozens of leading law professors and scholars. We talk about the arguments that were made and what effects they did or didn't have on legislators.Show Notes:Karl Baker coverageDelaware Business Times coverageSB 313
2024-06-141h 07Highlands BunkerE278 - Shaking Up the State (w/ Jordan Howell, Karl Stomberg)Bunker regulars Jordan and Karl join Rob in the bunker to talk about the pieces they wrote in the Delaware Call: one about leaked updates to the corporate code that show the effects of last year's organizing, the other about Wilmington's first major strike that shows the effects of organizing from 140 years ago.Show Notes:Interviews in the openingHal Weitzman interviewChancery Daily interviewJordan's piece about the Corporate Law Council amendmentsKarl's piece about the Knights of Labor in WilmingtonClosing story
2024-01-2659 minHighlands BunkerE255 - Cultural Humility (w/Timeless Thomas)Timeless Thomas Swann joins Rob in the bunker to talk about some updates on his book 101 Things You Should Know About Jail based on the experiences of other groups, and then the group talks about some of Delaware's newest white collar criminals.Show Notes:Congrats to Julia101 Things You Should Know About Jail audiobookKarl Baker's Hunter Biden piece
2023-08-1157 minHighlands BunkerE248 - POSTing PODPAT (w/Karl Stomberg)Rob and Karl discuss the new LEOBOR reform bills and the hearings that brought them to the vote that occurred yesterday. This was recorded right after the hearings but includes a couple updates on events that have happened since.Show Notes:News Journal coverage of the hearingVote of no confidence episodeThe new LEOBOR reform substituteThe POST Commission bill
2023-06-2359 minHighlands BunkerE245 - News Arcade (w/ Karl Baker)Journalist Karl Baker joins Rob in the bunker to talk about his latest venture, how the Port of Wilmington continues to be a disaster, and the broader state of local news in Delaware right now.Show Notes:Xerxes Wilson piece from the startKarl's newest port story on the News ArcadeDelaware Call profile of Madinah
2023-06-021h 03Highlands BunkerE242 - Sellouts (w/ Karl Stomberg)It's just Karl and Rob in the bunker today as they talk about Karl's new piece on why legislators sell out and how we can fix it.Show Notes:Why Do Legislators Sell Out?
2023-05-121h 04Highlands BunkerE221 - A Narrative of Victory (w/ Reji Gregoire, Tye Grier, Kirsten Walther)WFP leaders Reji Gregoire, Tye Grier, Kirsten Walther, and Karl join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about what Delaware WFP has been working on over the last year and what they'll be working on in the next two years.Show Notes:Delaware Working Families PartyBecome a WFP member
2022-12-231h 14Highlands BunkerE212 - Kathy v Kathy Pt. 16: What Did We Learn?A sentence puts a period on the Kathy v Kathy saga, for now, as the Kathy trial finishes off with spears, Narcan, and a resignation letter lost in the ether. Rob, Bill, Kirsten, and Karl finish off the saga by talking about what happened and what's next.Show Notes:News Journal coverageKarl Baker's Delaware Call pieceACLU ReportDelaware Call Fundraiser
2022-10-211h 14Highlands BunkerE207 - Primary Wrap-UpJason Scott, Jordyn Pusey, and Tye Grier join Rob and Karl in the virtual bunker to talk about the results of the 2022 state primaries. What were the results, what do they mean, and what happens next?Show Notes:News Journal coverage of the resultsJoin the Delaware Working Families PartyPrimary Election Results
2022-09-231h 13Highlands BunkerE177 - Governing Power (w/Karl Stomberg)Karl the Producer joins Rob in the bunker in his capacity as Working Families Party Organizer to talk about the latest updates at legislative hall, why it's important to elect more progressives, and what it takes to make lasting change in Delaware.Show Notes:Delaware WFP siteBecome a WFP MemberBecome a WFP VolunteerCarney's weed vetoSpiegelman's blow-up
2022-05-271h 17Highlands BunkerE156 - How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Bardea (w/Jordan Howell)Delaware Call Editor Emeritus Jordan Howell joins Rob and Karl in the bunker to sum up the year by talking about media criticism, the effectiveness of confrontational organizing, and Twitter's new favorite movie Don't Look Up.Show Notes:Read the Occupy Biden diaries on the Delaware CallBecome a WFP memberLearn more about Delaware WFPDelaware Call on Chris Coons and Tom Carper
2021-12-311h 22Highlands BunkerE133 - Preventative Detention (w/Tye Grier)Tye, Rob, and Karl recap the 2021 legislative session, talking about the win and the many losses of the year, what they mean, and what needs to be done going forward.Show Notes:News Journal session roundupDelaware Constitution Article VIII, 10a and 11a on raising taxesWhy legal weed failed
2021-07-0951 minHighlands BunkerE129 - Welcome To Jerkytown (w/Tye Grier)Tye, Karl, and Rob convene in the virtual bunker to talk through the Darius Brown situation, the latest BPG developments in Wilmington, Israel and Palestine, and what to expect for the rest of the 2021 legislative session.Show Notes:The Darius Brown situationBPG's new hotelRiverfront EastElla Baker Black Organizers Group
2021-06-041h 01Highlands BunkerE127 - Where Are The Workers? (w/Jess Scarane)Former senate candidate Jess Scarane joins Rob, Tye, and Karl in the virtual bunker to talk about Delaware's minimum wage bill and the local effort to keep wages down and kick people off of unemployment.Show Notes:Karl's minimum wage explainerSpeaker Pete on the minimum wageMake calls for the minimum wageKnock doors for the minimum wageOur reading series this week
2021-05-211h 10Highlands BunkerE126 - Wilmington at a Crossroads (w/Karl Baker)Freelance journalist Karl Baker joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about his post-News Journal ventures, his recent articles about the new problems that Wilmington is facing, and the what that means about the broader model of economic change that we operate under.Show Notes:Wilmington at a crossroadsPort of Wilmington faces headwinds
2021-05-141h 00Highlands BunkerE111 - What's Next For the Call? (w/Jess Scarane, Tyeisha Grier, Jordan Howell)Former senate candidate Jess Scarane, organizer extraordinaire Tyeisha Grier, and Delaware Call editor Jordan Howell join Rob and Karl in the virtual bunker to talk about the upcoming plans for the Delaware Call and how they tie in to a broader movement in Delaware politics.Show Notes:The Delaware CallSubmit an article pitchDonate to the Call
2021-02-0140 minHighlands BunkerE110 - After Hours (w/Jess Scarane, Tyeisha Grier, Jordan Howell)Former senate candidate Jess Scarane, organizer extraordinaire Tyeisha Grier, and Delaware Call editor Jordan Howell join Rob and Karl in the virtual bunker to talk about Henry Ford, Delaware history, the GameStop situation, the history of markets, and some conflicting thoughts on the Biden inauguration.Show Notes:Some historyGameStop explainerFreedom From the MarketLeo Strine's corporate governance paperThe Republic for Which It Stands
2021-01-291h 07Highlands BunkerE94 - Viral #HugACop Energy (w/Vasu Jayanthi, Tyeisha Grier, Dylan Rosenthal)Former Jess staffers Vasu Jayanthi and Tyeshia Grier, along with Kyle Evans Gay staffer Dylan Rosenthal join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the results of the 2020 election and it's effect on Delaware politics, the career of James Spadola, and an important announcement on Rob's future plans.Show Notes:Delaware election resultsKarl's piece on Laura Sturgeon's and Madinah Wilson-Anton's campaigns#HugACopHunter S Thompson Documentary
2020-11-061h 00Highlands BunkerE85 - Primary Wrap-UpA round table of Jordyn Pusey, Kristin Bricker, Paul Blest, Karl the Producer, and Lovely Lacey join Rob in the virtual bunker to review the results of Delaware's September 15th Democratic Primary, and what they mean for the future of progressive legislation.Show Notes:Election results
2020-09-181h 10Highlands BunkerE83 - It Begins With Leadership (w/Kathy Jennings)Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about why people don't trust the police, the criminal justice system in Delaware, and how change gets made in the system.Show Notes:Delaware Call
2020-09-0457 minHighlands BunkerE82 - Ready For Some Football (w/Alex Hess)British writer Alex Hess joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about how capitalism has ruined (non-American) football. Go Spurs.Show Notes:How Capitalism Changed Football for the Worse
2020-08-2843 minHighlands BunkerE81 - Professional-Class Rednecks (w/Canio Caputo, Jason Scott)Canio Caputo and Jason Scott from Delaware Liberal join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the Biden/Harris fanfare in Delaware, whether or not it's important to vote for Biden here in Delaware, and what the implications are of a Biden presidency.Show Notes:A sample of the previous podcastNixon election interferenceWhat Putin didThe Delaware Call
2020-08-211h 07Highlands BunkerE80 - Always Demand Better (w/Vasu Jayanthi)Student activist Vasu Jayanthi joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about her recent op-ed in the News Journal, and how young activists can change our government for the better.Show Notes:Vasu's op-ed in the News JournalVolunteer for JessGet an absentee ballot or check your status
2020-08-1439 minHighlands BunkerE79 - Optimism of the Will (w/Harvey J Kaye)Professor Harvey J Kaye joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about Marx and Gramsci, American radicals from Thomas Paine to A Phillip Randolph, and how these ideas, figures, and movements can inspire activism today.Show Notes:Bill Clinton on Kwame TureMore on A Phillip Randolph and economic democracyNew Deal descendants open letter to Joe Biden
2020-08-0752 minHighlands BunkerE78 - #LeftIsBest (w/Karl the Producer)Rob and Karl the Producer hold down the bunker this week, talking about the recent passing of left media figure Michael Brooks, the importance of compassion in organizing, and how the end of the world isn't quite what it seems.Show Notes:Right-Wing MandelaRemembering Michael Brooks
2020-07-3150 minHighlands BunkerE77 - Green New Deal for Delaware (w/Madinah Wilson-Anton, Victor Perez)State Representative candidate Madinah Wilson-Anton and UD Professor Victor Perez join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about what a Green New Deal for Delaware would look like on a policy level, a scientific level, a social level, and a political level.Show Notes:Green New Deal for DelawareDr. Perez's research on Rt 9 neighborhoodsProperty tax reassessment articleDealing with spotted lanternfliesDonate to MadinahVolunteer for Madinah
2020-07-2453 minHighlands BunkerE76 - Where Good Ideas Go to Die (w/Sarah Fulton)School board candidate Sarah Fulton joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about her background in progressive activism, some of the racial issues in the school board, and what progressives should do when they lose a vote or an election.Show Notes:The Panel ProtestsSarah's siteArticle in questionResult of the Red Clay SRO voteList of School Board election polling places
2020-07-171h 05Highlands BunkerE75 - Fisher's Amoeba (w/Andray Domise)Journalist and activist Andray Domise joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the attempted corporate cooptation of the Black Lives Matter movement, the history of black radical movements, and the importance of a systemic analysis of racism.Show Notes:Matt Taibbi review of White FragilityMark Fisher's Capitalist RealismJP Morgan's Juneteenth celebrationJP Morgan's actual history on slaveryMichael Parenti yellow video
2020-07-1059 minHighlands BunkerE74 - Man of the Left (w/Leo Strine)Former Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court Leo E Strine Jr joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the history and meaning of Delaware's Chancery Court, how he would change America's corporate governance, and how woke talk should be met with woke action.Show Notes:Strine's paper on sustainable capitalism
2020-07-031h 02Highlands BunkerE73 - Confessions of a Looter (w/Zach Phillips)Founder of Short Order Production House Zach Phillips joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about his latest essay in technical.ly and how capitalism is the most poorly designed game in history.Note: there is a minor echo in Zach's audio, tried to edit it down so it shouldn't be too badShow Notes:Remaking Murdertown PodcastZach's essay in technical.lyEllora Derenoncourt tweet on the Great MigrationChallenge Program
2020-06-261h 02Highlands BunkerE72 - Antifa Superdelegates (w/Kristin Bricker)We live in an age of statues and bus heroes, mass uprisings and fascists. General Secretary of the Delaware Antifa Chapter Kristin Bricker joins Rob and Karl in the backyard bunker to talk about some of the greatest figures and stories of these developments in Delaware.Show Notes:Delaware Young Republicans postKristin's Antifa credentialsPetition to name Rodney Square after the hero juggaloElmo's Antifa monologueThe Dover police monument story
2020-06-191h 15Highlands BunkerE71 - The Great Uprising (w/Peter Levy, Yasser Payne)Professor/Author Peter B Levy and Professor Yasser Payne join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the latest protests in the relation to the 1960s uprisings: what has changed, what has stayed the same, and where do we go from here?Show Notes:Professor Levy's Book, The Great UprisingProfessor Payne's People's ReportProfessor Payne's last episode
2020-06-121h 09Highlands BunkerE70 - Rumors of War (w/Karl Baker)News Journal reporter Karl Baker joins Rob in the virtual bunker in a content-packed episode where they talk about Karl's reporting on Coronavirus, the protest in Wilmington on Saturday, and Delaware's latest greatest public-private partnership. Subscribe to the News Journal.Show Notes:Karl's coverage of the N95 mask shipmentsThe Great Transit Hub Heist
2020-06-0559 minHighlands BunkerE69 - Commentary Alarm (w/Meredith Newman)News Journal health reporter Meredith Newman joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about her path to Delaware journalism, the experience of reporting on the Coronavirus crisis across the state, and what it's like to be able to talk one on one with John Carney. Subscribe to the News Journal.Show Notes:News Journal Vaughn reportMeredith's coverage of the beach protests
2020-05-2952 minHighlands BunkerE68 - The New Titans (w/Nicole Aschoff)Author Nicole Aschoff joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the new power dynamics and economic conditions created by the rise of smartphones, big data, and tech giants.Show Notes:Buy the book
2020-05-2248 minHighlands BunkerE67 - Fallout (w/Andrew Cassey, Alex Sianni)Economist Andrew Cassey and local business owner Alex Sianni join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the practical effects of the pandemic-driven depression, and how the responses have been completely insufficient to the scale of the problem.Show Notes:April jobs reportCARES ActProfile on Alex and De La Coeur (written by podcast regular Jordan Howell)
2020-05-151h 30Highlands BunkerE66 - The Gannett Stonewall (w/Natalia Alamdari)News Journal education reporter Natalia Alamdari joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk to talk about education policy, the organizing of the Delaware News Guild, and her reporting on the Joe Biden case from a local angle.Show Notes:Subscribe to the News JournalFollow the Delaware News GuildNatalia's reporting on BidenTell Gannett to protect its local journalists
2020-05-0856 minHighlands BunkerE65 - The Route 1 Football (w/David Bentz)State Representative David Bentz joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about his path from legislative aide to legislator, the benefits and downsides of incrementalism, and how state legislators are trying to respond to the Coronavirus crisis.Show Notes:The Kowalko EpisodeVote by Mail billLatest update on Coronavirus in the prisonsBentz's insulin billCoronavirus updates
2020-05-011h 05Highlands BunkerBONUS EPISODE - Round-Table Bunktacular (w/Margaret Hu, Jordyn Pusey)Karl the Producer, Producer Emeritus Margaret Hu, and PDD President Jordyn Pusey join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the state of the national Democratic Party, the #MeToo movement, and some controversy in local labor politics.Show Notes:Reading from introAOC articleDonate to local progressivesLatest allegations against Joe BidenJimmy's bad postsPDD's statement
2020-04-281h 15Highlands BunkerE64 - Power of the Bureaucrat (w/Cerron Cade)Delaware Secretary of Labor Cerron Cade joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about his journey into Delaware politics, the uses and problems of corporate welfare, and how the Department of Labor is responding to the Coronavirus pandemic.Show Notes:Delaware Unemployment InfoFifty state strategyDonate $5 to Shahid Buttar
2020-04-241h 16Highlands BunkerE63 - Eradicating Homelessness (w/Shyanne Miller, Ann Aviles)Housing activists Shyanne Miller and Ann Aviles join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the long-running issue of housing in Wilmington, and how the HOMES (Housing, Opportunity, Mobility, Equity, Stability) Campaign is trying to organize people to find solutions.Show Notes:Previous housing episode with ShyanneAnn's op-ed on the blight billHOMES Campaign FB
2020-04-171h 16Highlands BunkerE62 - We're Set Dressing (w/Jason Scott)Jason Scott of Delaware Liberal joins Rob in the bunker to talk about some brief updates on the Coronavirus situation, some war stories of the Delaware Way, and why Rob has been cancelled again.Show Notes:Stay updated on the CoronavirusDelaware LiberalThe offending tweet
2020-04-101h 11Highlands BunkerE61 - A Strategy Bigger Than the Problem (w/Kerri Evelyn Harris)Former senate candidate and community organizer Kerri Evelyn Harris joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about their critiques of the Bernie campaign, the latest allegations against Joe Biden, and what the near-term future of progressive organizing should look like.Show Notes:More on Leonard PeltierKatie Halper's interview with Tara ReadeKerri's new website
2020-04-031h 13Highlands BunkerE60 - Alienation and Apathy (w/Anthony Delcollo)State Senator Anthony Delcollo joins Rob in the bunker to talk about their similar upbringings, their differing views on education funding, and what it means to be a Republican in the state of Delaware.Music: Delaware is Burning - 2DCATShow Notes:Amazon corporate welfare infoLegislature live-streaming billNational popular voteSome of the Delaware Republican scandals
2020-03-271h 14Highlands BunkerE59 - Toughen Up (w/Marie Pinkney)State senate candidate Marie Pinkney joins Rob in the bunker to talk about her background in social work, the basics of her state senate campaign, and the need to get actual ordinary people involved in politics.Music: Delaware is Burning - 2DCATShow Notes:Marie's website Donate to Marie One of many things Marie's opponent did
2020-03-201h 00Highlands BunkerOutside the Line (w/Dwayne Bensing)ACLU lawyer and Department of Education whistleblower Dwayne Bensing joins Rob in the bunker to talk about his upbringing in Arkansas, how he became a whistleblower in the DeVos Department of Education, and the details of the ACLU education lawsuit against Delaware.Music: Delaware is Burning - 2DCATShow Notes:Delaware News GuildDwayne's whistleblowing storyUpdates on the ACLU education case
2020-03-131h 00Highlands BunkerE57 - Coalition of Cowards (w/Jordyn Pusey)Former County Council candidate and current PDD president Jordyn Pusey joins Rob in the bunker to talk about her experience in the nitty-gritty of local politics, what PDD can work on in the future, and how Yahim is officially free!Music: Delaware is Burning - 2DCATShow Notes:PDD websiteAmazon warehouseMore information on Yahim
2020-03-061h 01Highlands BunkerE56 - The Scarane Train (w/Jess Scarane)US Senate candidate Jessica Scarane joins Rob in the bunker to talk about why she is running against Chris Coons, the base values that we should have as a society, and why we probably shouldn't let billionaires run everything.Show Notes:Jess's WebsiteDonate to JessMake sure you're a registered Democrat
2020-02-281h 18Highlands BunkerE55 - SB39 and SD14Another double header episode. First, D Marque Hall and Ryan Nowaczyk join Rob to talk about the Fines and Fees bill and the movement to decriminalize poverty. Then, state senate candidate Kyra Hoffner joins Rob to talk about why she's running for office against a long-time incumbent.Show Notes:Network Delaware Fines and Fees campaignSenate Bill 39The rest of the audio from part 1Kyra Hoffner's siteDonate to Kyra
2020-02-211h 41Highlands BunkerE54 - Street PAR (w/Dr Yasser Payne)Dr Yasser Payne joins Rob in the bunker to talk about Participatory Action Research, and how he has been using it on the streets of Wilmington to push forShow Notes:WEB DuBois's Philadelphia NegroCuban Literacy BrigadeThe People's Report MixtapeDr Payne's TEDx TalkFaces at the Bottom of the WellThe People's Report
2020-02-141h 19Highlands BunkerE53 - Misusing the Rat (w/Matt Meyer)County Executive Matt Meyer joins Rob in the bunker to talk about to talk about housing and homelessness, the challenges of running against an incumbent, and some of the controversy around the Delaware Board of Trade.Show Notes:Matt Meyer's campaign siteSome background on the DBOTInfo on Meyer being sued
2020-02-071h 06Highlands BunkerE52 - One Year Special (w/Eugene Young)For our 52nd episode, Wilmington Metropolitan Urban League president and former mayoral candidate Eugene Young joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about his background, the lessons everyone needs to learn, and the difficulties of Delaware politics.Show Notes:Black JacobinsNetwork DelawareRevolutions Podcast
2020-01-311h 59Highlands BunkerE51 - It’s Not Accurate, It’s Just True (w/Rob Vanella)Local gonzo journalist and podcast host Rob Vanella joins Karl in the bunker to talk about his background in Wilmington, the experience of being a leftist working in the banking industry, and how he got involved in local progressive politics.Show NotesThe Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved
2020-01-2400 minHighlands BunkerE50 - A Good Struggle (w/Stephanie Barry)State House candidate Stephanie Barry joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about Three Little Bakers, the various ways in which Mike Ramone uses his office for his personal agenda, and what the Delaware GOP actually stands for.Show Notes:Elect Stephanie BarryDonate Stephanie Barry
2020-01-1700 minHighlands BunkerBONUS EPISODE - No War With IranNow that the conflict with Iran has died down a bit, Karl the Producer and RE Vanella look back at Soleimani, the US's relation with Iran, and the broader military industrial complex and how we got to this point.Show Notes:2013 article on SoleimaniIran Flight 655Gen. McChrystal video
2020-01-1343 minHighlands BunkerE49 - Squeezed for Every Nickel (w/Joe Leonetti)Wilmington Firefighters Association union president Joseph Leonetti Jr. joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about the firefighters' negotiations with the city of Wilmington and friend of the podcast Mike Purzycki, and their efforts to fight back against local austerity.Show Notes:Overview of the issues being negotiatedLatest update on the Gilpin Fire StationIAFF Local 1590 FB Page
2020-01-1029 minHighlands BunkerE48 - All I Said Was Vote (w/Branden Fletcher)Network Delaware organizer Branden Fletcher joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about his work in the Rt 9 corridor, the shooting of Yahim Harris, and why it is important to elect Bernie Sanders president.Show Notes:Petition with more info on Yahim HarrisHelp out with Network DelawareDonate to Bernard
2020-01-031h 05Highlands BunkerE47 - Erika Gutierrez Organizing Highlight SpectacularA group of organizers, gathered by Erika Gutierrez, join RE Vanella in the bunker to highlight some of the non-electoral organizing that is going on across the state, from student art to helping the homeless.Show Notes:The new Route 9 credit unionFouryouth Productions (website in process)Fouryouth Productions FBHope for Humanity Instagram
2019-12-2758 minHighlands BunkerE46 - A Gloomy Bunker (w/Karl the Producer)On the night of the Labour loss in Britain, RE Vanella and Karl the Producer try to talk about anything else: including a new poll that shows Chris Coons in trouble, the Afghanistan papers and the military industrial complex, and an update on some local campaigns.Show Notes:The Chris Coons pollRo Khanna on the defense budgetStanley McChrystal in WilmingtonJohn Bercow on Jeremy Corbyn
2019-12-201h 04Highlands BunkerE45 - The Hegemony of Chris Coons (w/Paul Blest)Freelance writer and former Splinter news editor Paul Blest joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about the GOP's favorite Democrat, how the news frames political issues to favor the center, and what the future has in store for progressive candidates and progressive media.Show Notes:Jess interview on WDELPaul's piece on JessFull Chomsky interviewChris Coons sympathizes with Kavanaugh pt 1Chris Coons sympathizes with Kavanaugh pt 2Paul's coverage of Coons' "discord" comments
2019-12-1356 minHighlands BunkerE44 - Building Socialist Institutions (w/Nathan J Robinson)Author and Current Affairs editor Nathan J Robinson joins RE Vanella from New Orleans to talk about definitions of socialism, what actual socialist institutions look like, and his experience in building a left-wing media publication in Current Affairs.Show Notes:How to Build Socialist Institutions essayBuy the bookOwnership & Control EssayNathan J Robinson memoirQ&A With a Conservative StudentNathan's debate column
2019-12-061h 06Highlands BunkerE43 - A Place to Be Somebody (w/Margaret Hu)Super-producer emeritus Margaret Hu rejoins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about her experience as a child of immigrants, how she ended up in Delaware activism, and how the city of Wilmington comes across to a newcomer.
2019-11-291h 07Highlands BunkerE42 - You Have To Be Intentional (w/Shané Darby)Community organizer and city council candidate Shané Darby joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about her experiences in community organizing, depression, and the lessons we can learn from African history and Caribbean solidarity.Show Notes:Shané's city council websiteDonate to Shané
2019-11-221h 05Highlands BunkerE41 - Finger on the Scale (w/Paul Baumbach)State Representative Paul Baumbach joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about how he got into politics, some of the issues that he has worked on in his career in Dover, and the parts of Delaware politics that need to change.
2019-11-1556 minHighlands BunkerE40 - A Bit of Rebellion (w/Harvey J Kaye)Senator Chris Coons (D-Highlands) believes that Americans shouldn't protest in certain ways. Professor Harvey J Kaye joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about the proud American tradition of radicalism, and why real change will mean not playing by the rules that people like Coons put in place.Show Notes:Chris Coons getting angry about booingBuy the book
2019-11-0855 minHighlands BunkerE39 - Karl Marks Capital (w/Karl Baker)News Journal reporter Karl Baker and returning champion Jordan Howell join RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about the shady practices of Delaware corporations, how this connects to Rudy Giuliani and his goons, and some of the funny LLC names registered in Delaware.Show Notes:Subscribe to the News Journal
2019-11-011h 04Highlands BunkerE38 - Progressive Podcast/Double Feature (w/Larry Lambert, Alexandra Rojas)We have a double header! First, state rep candidate Larry Lambert joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about his race and roots in the 7th district. Then, Alexandra Rojas, director of Justice Democrats, joins to talk about her background in activism and how Justice Democrats got started. Show Notes:More info on LarryDonate to LarryMore info on Justice Democrats
2019-10-2553 minHighlands BunkerE37 - Suburban Poverty (w/Karl the Producer)Karl the producer joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about his research into poverty in the suburbs, and how it has been affecting Delaware specifically. An episode for the wonks.Show Notes:Karl's thread on suburban poverty in DelawareKarl's essay on nationwide suburban povertyCarbon emissions mapFerguson fines and fees
2019-10-181h 04Highlands BunkerE36 - Timbs On, Horn Out (w/Sam Barry, Coby Owens)It's a debate episode! Fellow content producer Sam Barry joins RE Vanella in the bunker, moderated by returning champion Coby Owens, to talk about social media, leftist organizing, and the correct way to go about making change in Delaware.Show Notes:The tweet that caused all thisWhip Count podcastDonate to Stephanie Barry
2019-10-1155 minHighlands BunkerE35 - Infidel Jeepers (w/Madinah Wilson-Anton)State representative candidate Madinah Wilson-Anton joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about her experiences with the Delaware Way down in Dover, the full story behind a stump speech line, and whether or not Rob is the anti-christ.Show Notes:Donate to MadinahVolunteer for MadinahLearn more about Madinah
2019-10-041h 12Highlands BunkerE34 - In The Shadow of the Grand Opera HouseThe bunker heads to Market St to record a multi-part episode from the third Democratic debate. Guests include activist Coby Owens, DWFI chair Debbie Silverman, new city councilman Chris Johnson, some kids from UD that interview Rob, Wilmington non-resident Josh Whittaker, and a Trump supporter named John.
2019-09-271h 05Highlands BunkerE33 - The Housing Episode™ (w/Samuel Stein, Shyanne Miller)Author of 'Capital City' Samuel Stein and local housing activist Shyanne Miller join RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about the history of planning, the rise of gentrification, and how this ties in with the blight bill bring put forth in Wilmington.Show Notes:Buy the bookA brief explainer of the blight bill (subscribe to the newspaper)
2019-09-2054 minHighlands BunkerE32 - A Podcast Where You Can Say Fuck (w/Kirsten Walther)Activist Kirsten Walther joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about coasters, how power gets built, an anti-labor letter to the editor that never actually gets read, and the possibility that there are several Jeffrey Epsteins still out there.Show Notes:The briefly mentioned letter to the editorNetwork Delaware events
2019-09-151h 05Highlands BunkerE31 - You Cannot Be Liked By Everybody (w/Jakim Mohammed)Activist and former state representative candidate Jakim Mohammad joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about how his experiences in New York shaped the way he thinks, Delaware’s Scott Walker, and some hyperlocal issues going on in Wilmington and how they connect to a larger picture.Show Notes:Shooting an Elephant AnalysisShooting an Elephant TextJakim Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
2019-09-0641 minHighlands BunkerE30 - TNT Saved My Life (w/Ashley SK Davis)Ashley SK Davis of Pieces of a Dream joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about how she got into dance, what the role of art is in expanding peoples' political consciousness, and how racism is a bit like having bad breath.Show Notes:Pieces of a Dream WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagram
2019-08-3047 minHighlands BunkerE29 - More Than A Quirk (w/Jeanne Kuang, Lex Wilson)Reporters Jeanne Kuang and Lex Wilson join RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about the crazy world of property taxes in Delaware, and what sorts of things happen when the state refuses to do its job for over forty years. Show Notes:Main story, describing the issueSpecifically about WilmingtonPoliticians’ inaction A calculator tool that allows you to figure out where you stand relative to others
2019-08-231h 11Highlands BunkerE28 - We Are Sussex (w/Don Allan)Former state rep candidate Don Allan joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about his new organization, We Are Sussex, the lessons he learned about changing the Democratic brand down south, and how much water it takes to clean a chicken.Show Notes:We Are Sussex FB page
2019-08-1651 minHighlands BunkerE27 pt2 - Hangoutology (w/Michael Kalmbach)Michael Kalmbach of the Creative Vision Factory joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about his work with the CVF, the politics of the Delaware art world, and the basic things that our system gets wrong about recovery. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation. Part 1 was released yesterday, check it out here.Show Notes:Shipley Lofts Creative Vision Factory The full Toni Morrison essay
2019-08-1049 minHighlands BunkerE27 pt1 - Make More Artists (w/Michael Kalmbach)Michael Kalmbach of the Creative Vision Factory joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about how he ended up in the Wilmington art scene, his observations and personal struggles with the opioid crisis, and the need to find some positivity in an otherwise bleak world.This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Part 2 will be released on Saturday, so make sure to keep an eye out.Show Notes:Shipley Lofts Creative Vision Factory The full Toni Morrison essay
2019-08-0942 minHighlands BunkerE26 - The Humanistic Element (w/Erika Gutierrez)Activist, and Delaware's better Marianne Williamson, Erika Gutierrez joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about her work for Network Delaware and DelawareCAN, the need for more organizing among the Latinx communities in Delaware, and how she gained her positive aura.Show Notes:Erika being interviewed about Network Delaware (spanish) First and last op-ed about the parade in MiddletownSafe Communities FB page DelawareCAN launches first website in Spanish to help the Spanish speaking community to walk the school choice process and provide information on school differences and...
2019-08-0255 minHighlands BunkerE25 - People’s Republic of Cambridge (w/Vanessa Clifford)Working Families Party activist Vanessa Clifford joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about what Working Families Party is, some of her experiences organizing in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and a new progressive group that is forming here in Delaware.Show Notes:Working Families Party Nicolas O'Rourke and Kendra Brooks
2019-07-2649 minHighlands BunkerE24 - Kingswood Country Club (w/Chris Johnson)Chris Johnson joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about some of the latest police violence controversies, what he's working on, and what the future of criminal justice looks like in the state of Delaware.Show Notes:Background on Elmer Daniels Delaware Smart Justice Coalition
2019-07-231h 09Highlands BunkerE23 - The Devil’s in the Details (w/Dustyn Thompson)Dustyn Thompson of Delaware United joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about the work he's been doing down at Legislative Hall and how the 2019 legislative session fared for issues like marijuana legalization and criminal justice reform.Show Notes:Switching to renewable power Delaware United Facebook / Twitter Sarah McBride interview
2019-07-231h 07Highlands BunkerE20 - First Draft of History (w/Adam Duvernay, Jordan Howell)News Journal reporter Adam Duvernay and freelance journalist/adjunct professor Jordan Howelljoin RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about their Delaware stories, from convincing kids that birds don't exist to reporting on a murder in Sussex County. Show Notes:Jordan's piece on the 1968 riots Karl's piece on the suburbs One of Adam's pieces on the murder in Sussex
2019-07-231h 05Highlands BunkerE19 - I Welcome Their Hatred (w/Karl the Producer)Karl the producer joins RE Vanella in the bunker to talk about some of the disingenuous attempts to stop the minimum wage increase as well as their field trip down to DC to see Bernie Sanders speak about democratic socialism.Show Notes:Report on minimum wage increaseNon-profits minimum wage op-ed The full Sanders speech
2019-07-2357 minHighlands BunkerBONUS EPISODE - The Worst Parts of the Delaware Way (w/Karl the Producer)Karl the Producer joins RE Vanella in a brand new bunker to talk about Joe Biden. The newest allegations against him, the weird obsession with defending him, and the broken Delaware politics that created him.
2019-07-2348 min