Shows
Engaged CitizenEngaged CitizenA few weeks ago, we talked about Chapter 6 in On Tyranny, “Beware the Paramilitary.” As the National Guard descends upon the state of California to assist ICE, we are witnessing the rise of a military state as local and national law enforcement agencies are called upon to do Trump’s bidding and serve his anti-immigrant agenda. We also saw the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States from the El Salvadoran prison, CECOT, to be brought to trial for some pretty egregious accusations that seem to have come from nowhere. We will see how our legal system holds...2025-06-1044 min
Tea, Tales, and TomesFrom Teacher to Acclaimed Author: Roslynne Toerien's Literary JourneyWe'd love your feedback. Send us a message. Ever wondered how children can learn complex facts without feeling like they're in a classroom? Roslynne Toerien has mastered this delicate balance through her captivating children's books that blend imagination with education.In this heartwarming conversation, award-winning Durban-based author Roslynne opens up about her remarkable journey from struggling reader to celebrated writer. As a mother of three and founder of the Learn Project NGO (which has distributed over 90,000 books to 29 South African schools), Roslynne's passion for literacy runs deep. Her children's books, featuring South African wildlife and...2025-06-0359 min
80s Flick Flashback#136 - "Good Morning Vietnam" (1987) with Nicholas Pepin & Chad SheppardThis episode of 80s Flick Flashback revisits the 1987 hit "Good Morning, Vietnam." The film marked a pivotal moment for Robin Williams, showcasing his dramatic range beyond his established comedic persona from "Mork & Mindy" and "Popeye." Loosely based on the true story of Armed Forces Radio DJ Adrian Cronauer, the movie is set in 1965 Saigon as the Vietnam conflict escalated. Williams' portrayal of the irreverent, rock-music-loving Cronauer, who clashed with superiors, earned him his first Oscar nomination and contributed to the film's significant success. Join Tim Williams, Nicholas Pepin, and Chad Sheppard as they jump in their military jeep, crank...2025-05-231h 03
De TipcastTipcast #45: DYING FOR SEX is grappig en ontroerend. Luisteren naar je favoriete DICTATOR. Waarom HARVARD zegt: "tot hier en niet verder?" Ga PODWALKEN in AMSTERDAM. Peter HEERSCHOP zet mooi theater neer.🎙 Tipcast #45 – De paus is dood, maar de Tipcast leeftPepijn keert terug van zijn bedevaart naar Lourdes met een flesje gewijd water. Maar de wereld blijft piepen en kraken. Terwijl de paus z’n laatste adem uitblaast, dendert het Trumpiaanse presidentschap door, richting iets dat verdacht veel lijkt --volgens Pepijn-- op een moderne burgeroorlog. Maar gelukkig zijn er ook onderstromen van hoop.💡 Wat hoor je in deze aflevering?Waarom zelfs Harvard nu “fuck you” zegt tegen de overheid?Hoe je niet moet onderhandelen met een autocraat (bedankt Timothy Snyder).Over de kracht van...2025-04-2136 min
Thinking about...The Logic of Negotiation (video)Wars are hard to end. Peace is easy to say but difficult to achieve. In this video, about ten minutes long, I spell out five logics that a successful mediator seeking peace would take into account: the state of law; the beginning of the war; calculations of the future; paper vs. reality; and ceasefire vs. peace. I have in mind the present Russo-Ukrainian war. But sometimes it helps to recall the fundamental principles. Please feel free to share this video.Thinking about... is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support...2025-03-0311 min
Thinking about...Five Failures in the Oval Office (video)In this, my first substack video, I react to the shameful encounter between American leaders and media and the Ukrainian president. No doubt there were more, but I saw five failures on our side: of hospitality, decency, democracy, strategy, and independence. Please watch and share. If you are thinking today about how to help Ukrainians, here are some possibilities: Come Back Alive (Ukrainian NGO that supports soldiers on the battlefield and veterans), United 24 (the Ukrainian state platform for donations, with many excellent projects), RAZOM (an American NGO, tax-deductible for US citizens, which cooperates with Ukrainian NGOS to...2025-02-2805 min
Thinking about...The Weak Strongman (audio and text)This is the podcast version of an essay I wrote a week ago, before the Munich Security Conference brought some of the explanation points. Since then, the thesis has only been confirmed by the disastrous Russian-American talks and American slanders of and threats to Ukrainians. Please share this with those who might want or need to hear this. If you are thinking about how to help Ukrainians, consider Come Back Alive (Ukrainian NGO that supports soldiers on the battlefield and veterans), United 24 (the Ukrainian state platform for donations, with many excellent projects), RAZOM (an American NGO, tax-deductible for US...2025-02-2016 min
Thinking about...Crossing a line (audio and text)This is the podcast version of an essay I wrote on the night train from Kyiv to Zaporizhzhia a week ago. Please feel free to share this with those who might want or need to hear this. If you are thinking as I am about how to help Ukrainians just now, consider Come Back Alive (Ukrainian NGO that supports soldiers on the battlefield and veterans), United 24 (the Ukrainian state platform for donations, with many excellent projects), RAZOM (an American NGO, tax-deductible for US citizens, which cooperates with Ukrainian NGOS to support civilians), and Documenting Ukraine (a project I help...2025-02-1910 min
Boundless Body RadioA Hope for Health for Indigenous Australians with Timothy Trudgen! 770Send us a textTimothy John Trudgen is the CEO and co-founder of Hope for Health, a non-profit organization that provides deep learning and supportive coaching using traditional knowledge to improve the health of Australia's indigenous population.Timothy has worked with the Yolngu people, located in the East Arnhem Land in Australia, for the last 21 years. The Yolngu people of this region now have the highest preventable death rates in Australia, caused largely by chronic disease, poor diet and lifestyle, and cross-cultural marginalization.Timothy has managed the Hope for Health charity over its 10...2025-02-031h 03