Best Daniel Bessner Podcasts (2024)

1
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (w/ Daniel Bessner) 1:05:50

6d ago1:05:50

1:05:50

Rivka and Frank are joined by historian and co-host of the American Prestige podcast, Daniel Bessner, to discuss Joe Dante’s 1990 cult classic, Gremlins 2: The New Batch. They explore the film’s anti-capitalist themes, its self-aware satire of franchised movie sequels, and, naturally, which Gremlin has the best politics. The Life & Death of Hollywo…

1
Bonus - The Rise and Fall of the American Constitutional Model, Ep. 3 w/ Aziz Rana 5:07

1h ago5:07

5:07

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.americanprestigepod.com Aziz Rana, the incoming J. Donald Monan, S.J., professor of law and government at Boston College, once again joins Danny and Derek to continue the discussion about Americans’ relationship with the Constitution. The conversation picks up in the postwar period, …

1
Unregistered 277: The Exorcist with Jack Mason and Anna Khachiyan (TEASER) 7:58

36m ago7:58

7:58

Watch the Full Episode now at patreon.com/unregistered Following a screening of The Exorcist at the Icarus Fringe and Film Festival, Anna Khachiyan and Jack Mason joined me to examine the radical nature of the film, the rise of the American counter-culture, and the meaning of religious faith in the era of neoliberalism. Become a PATRON OF UNREGISTE…

1
News - UK and France Elections, New Cold War Arms Tension, Sahel Junta "Confederation" 50:27

20m ago50:27

50:27

Danny and Derek are back with a news update after two weeks, and it appears that events continued to transpire despite their absence. This week: in Gaza, another round of fledgling ceasefire talks (0:35), the Knesset officially rejects Palestinian statehood (6:05), The Lancet journal publishes a study on the likely number of Palestinian casualties …

1
MVC update 3:39

1h ago3:39

3:39

MVC will be taking an indefinite hiatus while Frank deals with his back injury - we'll hopefully be back in the next few weeks or months. You can listen to Frank's announcement here. Love you, comrades. We'll talk to you soon.By Movies vs. Capitalism

1
E167 - The Early Days of Imperial America w/ Emily Conroy-Krutz 47:25

1h ago47:25

47:25

Danny and Derek sit down with Emily Conroy-Krutz, historian of nineteenth-century America specializing in the global history of the early American republic, to talk about the volume she co-edited with Michael Blaakman and Noelani Arista, The Early Imperial Republic: From the American Revolution to the U.S.–Mexican War. They explore the delineation …

1
Season 6 Episode 24: Karl Marx's Theory of History (ft. Matt McManus) 2:34:30

1d ago2:34:30

2:34:30

Matt McManus returns to hash out the arguments in G.A. Cohen's book "Karl Marx's Theory of History" with Ben Burgis. Before that, Ben and the crew take a look at Ben's post-debate interactions with YouTube personality Steven Bonnell ("Destiny"). No postgame on this one, but we make the main show count! Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattPolProf Follow Be…

1
UNLOCKED - Biden in a Box w/ Jonathan Guyer 52:15

1d ago52:15

52:15

It’s the second and final news-less week for AP as the team is on its annual podcast whitewater rafting retreat. In the meantime, please enjoy this unlocked episode covering Biden’s policy on Palestine/Israel. Danny and Derek speak with Jonathan Guyer, contributing editor at The American Prospect, about the piece he recently wrote for the magazine …

1
E156 - The Rise and Fall of the American Constitutional Model w/ Aziz Rana 54:25

7d ago54:25

54:25

Danny and Derek welcome back to the program Aziz Rana, the incoming J. Donald Monan, S.J., professor of law and government at Boston College, for a multi-part discussion about how Americans came to revere the Constitution and the worldwide implications. In this episode, the group discusses the latest Supreme Court ruling as of the recording date (T…

1
Bonus - AI Weapons and Venture Capitalists w/ Michael Brenes 5:15

9d ago5:15

5:15

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.americanprestigepod.com Danny and Derek once again welcome to the program Michael Brenes, co-director of the Brady-Johnson program in grand strategy at Yale University and publisher of Warfare and Welfare, this time to talk about his article with William D. Hartung in The New Republi…

1
Season 6 Episode 23: What the F*** Was That? (Ben's Debate w/Destiny) 2:17:38

8d ago2:17:38

2:17:38

Last week Ben Burgis had a debate on Israel/Palestine with YouTube personality Steven Bonnell ("Destiny"). It went...oddly. In this episode we break it all down. Watch the debate at MDD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdMRphk7ij4 Follow Destiny on Twitter: @TheOmniLiberal Follow Ben on Twitter: @BenBurgis Follow GTAA on Twitter: @Gtaa_Show Become …

1
Free Bonus - The American Far Right and Conservatism in the Last Century w/ David Austin Walsh 1:18:22

8d ago1:18:22

1:18:22

In the first of two consecutive non-news Friday releases, Danny sits down for another rigorous academic exchange, this time with David Austin Walsh, historian at Yale’s program for the study of antisemitism and author of Taking America Back: The Conservative Movement and the Far Right. The two dig into the big issues broached by the book, including…

1
UNLOCKED - Indigenous American Sovereignty and Subjecthood w/ Matthew Kruer 59:37

9d ago59:37

59:37

Happy July 4th to American Prestigeheads and patriots holding citizenship elsewhere. Please enjoy this unlocked episode, and a gentle reminder that tomorrow will be another interview given the absence of our news sage, Derek, from the pod for the next two weeks. Danny and Derek welcome to the podcast Matthew Kruer, assistant professor of history at…

1
Snowpiercer 1:18:49

10d ago1:18:49

1:18:49

Rivka and Frank delve into Bong Joon-ho’s 2013 climate horror thriller, Snowpiercer. They explore how the film's deep Marxist themes make it an ideal choice for discussing class warfare. They also examine the role of collaborators in revolutionary movements, the symbolism of airplanes as reminders of our modern caste system, and why Captain America…

1
E155 - Left-Wing Free Trade w/ Marc-William Palen 1:07:34

11d ago1:07:34

1:07:34

Danny and Derek speak welcome to the program Marc-William Palen, senior lecturer in history at the University of Exeter, for a discussion on his book Pax Economica: Left-Wing Visions of a Free Trade World. They delve into 19th century liberal radicalism and anti-slavery trade policies, how Marx and early socialists approached free trade, the role o…

1
Bonus - The Ever-Evolving Espionage Act, Pt. 2 w/ Sam Lebovic 5:46

13d ago5:46

5:46

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.americanprestigepod.com Danny and Derek welcome back Sam Lebovic, professor of history at George Mason University, for the second part of their discussion on the Espionage Act of 1917 and its use over the years. The group picks things up in the postwar era, exploring how the advent o…

1
Special - The Failed Coup in Bolivia w/ Bret Gustafson 3:52

15d ago3:52

3:52

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.americanprestigepod.com Danny and Derek speak with Bret Gustafson, professor of sociocultural anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis, about the failed coup attempt in Bolivia this week: who were the players, what transpired, and what happens now. Be sure to check out Bret…

1
Season 6 Episode 22: The Vanquished (ft. Anders Lee & Freddy G.) 2:14:37

20d ago2:14:37

2:14:37

Anders Lee and Freddy G. come on to chat with Ben Burgis about their new-ish podcast The Vanquished, where they profile losing presidential candidates over the decades. We'll dig into a handful of their favorites. Before that, Ben and the crew talk about his upcoming Israel/Palestine debate with YouTube personality Steven Bonnell ("Destiny"). Last …

1
News - Bolivia Failed Coup, Kenya Protests, Assange Plea Deal 40:31

16d ago40:31

40:31

Yesterday was Debate Night in America, today we see the results. This week: in Palestine/Israel, a grim Save the Children report on Gaza (0:30), Netanyahu again rebuffs a ceasefire and suggests a new phase of the operation (2:41), a new court ruling on ultra-Orthodox Jews’ conscription (7:14), and Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich again pus…

1
Capitalism, A Love Story (w/ Harvey Kaye) [PATREON PREVIEW] 3:44

17d ago3:44

3:44

Rivka and Frank are joined by MVC all-star Harvey Kaye to discuss Michael Moore’s 2009 documentary Capitalism, A Love Story. They talk about the film’s radicalizing potential, its portrayal of the 2008 financial crisis, what Moore could have done better, and Obama. 🤝 TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON 🤝 www.patreon.com/movies_vs_capi…

1
E154 - The Ever-Evolving Espionage Act, Pt. 1 w/ Sam Lebovic 50:25

20d ago50:25

50:25

Sam Lebovic, professor of history at George Mason University, joins Danny and Derek for a look at the Espionage Act of 1917 and its use over the years. In this first part of the discussion, they explore the dominant ideologies at the time of its inception, its implementation in cases from Eugene Debs to Herbert Yardley, the law’s effect on whistle-…

1
Bonus - Saudi Complicity in 9/11 w/ Steven Simon 5:18

21d ago5:18

5:18

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.americanprestigepod.com Danny and Derek speak with Steven Simon, senior research analyst at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and professor of Middle East studies at the University of Washington, to discuss he and Daniel Benjamin’s recent piece for The Atlantic, “New 9/…

1
News - Lebanon-Israel Tensions, Switzerland Hosts Ukraine "Summit on Peace", Revelations of US Anti-Vaccination Misinformation 43:56

23d ago43:56

43:56

A day late and a lira short, Danny and Derek are back with the news roundup. This week: in Gaza, Israel announces “tactical pauses” (1:44), Netanyahu disbands his war cabinet (4:27), friction between Bibi and the Biden administration (7:59), friction between Bibi and the IDF (11:53), and an update on the humanitarian situation (14:05); fears of war…

1
Unregistered 276: Michael Tracey and Max Blumenthal (Teaser) 6:57

23d ago6:57

6:57

Full episode available at patreon.com/unregistered At the Icarus Fringe and Film Festival, I was joined by Michael Tracey and Max Blumenthal to discuss perhaps the biggest question of our time: is this the end of the American empire? BECOME A MEMBER OF UNREGISTERED ACADEMY at https://www.unregisteredacademy.com/ for access to the Foucault webinar a…

1
Rat Race (w/ Thalia Sablon) 1:42:07

24d ago1:42:07

1:42:07

Rivka and Frank are joined by playwright Thalia Sablon for a conversation about the wild 2001 screwball comedy Rat Race. They discuss how the film's celebrity-packed cast represents a dying culture, the shockingly anti-capitalist character arcs, and how the movie may have been an inspiration for Squid Game. Thalia Sablon - Website For next week’s m…

1
E153 - Assassination and US Foreign Policy Since 1945 w/ Luca Trenta 1:01:12

30d ago1:01:12

1:01:12

Danny and Derek are pleased to welcome back to the podcast Luca Trenta, associate professor in International Relations at Swansea University and author of The President’s Kill List. The group discusses assassinations and international law, when and how assassination became a tool for US foreign policy, the difficulties in accessing declassified doc…

1
Bonus - Philip II of Macedon, Father w/ Patrick Wyman 5:16

29d ago5:16

5:16

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.americanprestigepod.com Happy Father’s Day! Patrick Wyman, host of the Tides of History podcast and author of The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World, returns to the program to talk about the all-important topic of fathers. Since it’s American Presti…

1
Season 6 Episode 21: Jeet Heer on Marty Peretz 2:35:29

28d ago2:35:29

2:35:29

The Nation's Jeet Heer joins Ben Burgis to discuss his article "Friends and Enemies: Marty Peretz and the Travails of American Liberalism." You might not know who Marty Peretz is but you've unfortunately seen his handiwork--Anthony Blinken, for example, is a Peretz protege. So is Jim Cramer. The man's got a lot to answer for, and Jeet gets into all…

1
News - Israeli Hostage Operation, The Right Wins in EU Elections, Tensions Rise in Korea 49:06

1M ago49:06

49:06

Another Friday, another roundup courtesy of Danny and Derek. This week: in Gaza, Israel carries out a hostage rescue operation, massacring more Palestinian civilians in the process (0:30), while ceasefire talks amble along (10:54); Israel also kills a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon prompting an armed response (14:32); the field is finalized for Ira…

1
Rosemary’s Baby (w/ Kate Willett) 1:27:57

1M ago1:27:57

1:27:57

Rivka and Frank are joined by comedian Kate Willett for a conversation about the 1968 horror classic Rosemary’s Baby. They discuss how the film is an overt metaphor for the domination and control of a woman’s body, Mia Farrow’s incredible performance as a woman being gaslit by her husband and neighbors, and how the film’s generational dynamics mirr…

1
E152 - Chinese Soft Power w/ Maria Repnikova 49:23

1M ago49:23

49:23

Danny and Derek welcome to the podcast Maria Repnikova, associate professor in global communication at Georgia State University, to talk about China’s use of so-called “soft power”. They explore the origin of the phrase and what Maria means by it, Confucius Institutes, public diplomacy, Chinese efforts to build a global media network, how the US fr…

1
Special - The 2024 South African Election w/ Benjamin Fogel 3:30

1M ago3:30

3:30

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.americanprestigepod.com Danny and Derek welcome back to the podcast Benjamin Fogel, head of publishing at the Alameda Institute and contributing editor to Jacobin, to talk about the May 29 general election in South Africa wherein the African National Congress (ANC) lost its 30-year m…

1
Bonus - The History of Brazil, Ep. 6 w/ Bryan Pitts 5:02

1M ago5:02

5:02

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.americanprestigepod.com Danny and Derek once again speak with Bryan Pitts, assistant director of the Latin American Institute at UCLA, this time to conclude our series on the history of Brazil. We’re now in the post-dictatorship era, with the group delving into the 1988 constitution,…

1
Season 6 Episode 20: Exiting the Vampire's Castle (ft. Daniel Tutt) 2:09:18

1M ago2:09:18

2:09:18

Daniel Tutt joins us again for a deep dive on Mark Fisher's classic essay "Exiting the Vampire's Castle" (heavily featured in Ben Burgis's book "Canceling Comedians While the World Burns: A Critique of the Contemporary Left"). Before that, Ben and the crew talk about NYU's bizarre reeducation program for student Palestine protesters. In the postgam…

1
UNLOCKED - We Talk to Chomsky, Pt. 2 w/ Noam Chomsky 40:39

1M ago40:39

40:39

In light of recent health news about Noam Chomsky, we wanted to re-release Danny and Derek’s discussion with him from 2022. Danny and Derek sit down with linguist and antiwar critic Noam Chomsky to discuss his biography and a bunch of other subjects, from the responsibility of intellectuals to the antiwar movement to what to do in our present situa…

1
UNLOCKED - We Talk to Chomsky, Pt. 1 w/ Noam Chomsky 45:35

1M ago45:35

45:35

In light of recent health news about Noam Chomsky, we wanted to re-release Danny and Derek’s discussion with him from 2022. Danny and Derek sit down with linguist and antiwar critic Noam Chomsky to discuss his biography and a bunch of other subjects, from the responsibility of intellectuals to the antiwar movement to what to do in our present situa…

1
Special - The 2024 India Election w/ Ashoka Mody 5:41

1M ago5:41

5:41

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.americanprestigepod.com Derek welcomes back to the program Ashoka Mody, Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor in International Economic Policy at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, to talk about this week’s election in India. They discuss the issues fa…

1
News - Biden's Gaza Ceasefire Push, India and South Africa Elections, Immigration Executive Order 37:50

1M ago37:50

37:50

Once again, it’s your patented AP News Roundup™. This week: in Palestine/Israel, Biden pushes a new ceasefire plan (0:30), an update on the situation on the ground in Gaza (8:06), Slovenia recognizes Palestinian statehood (11:37), and Congress (prematurely?) announces a Netanyahu visit (12:37); things further escalate between Hezbollah and Israel o…

1
Special - Rod Serling's Second World War w/ Andrew Gulli 4:20

2M ago4:20

4:20

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.americanprestigepod.com On this 80th anniversary of D-Day, Danny and Derek speak with Andrew Gulli, editor-in-chief of The Strand Magazine, which recently put out a previously unpublished short story by Rod Serling, “First Squad, First Platoon”, based on his experiences fighting in t…

1
Never on Sunday (w/ Nomiki Konst) 1:43:59

1M ago1:43:59

1:43:59

Rivka and Frank are joined by investigative reporter, political analyst, and strategist Nomiki Konst to discuss the 1960 revolutionary comedy Never on Sunday. This hidden gem of a film follows a Greek sex worker who makes her own hours and chooses her clients. The trio delves into the film’s themes of alienation from Western culture, its celebratio…

1
Special - The 2024 Mexican Election w/ Alex Aviña 4:47

2M ago4:47

4:47

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.americanprestigepod.com Danny and Derek are once again joined by Alexander Aviña, associate professor of history at Arizona State University, this time to break down Sunday’s presidential election in Mexico. Topics include reactions to Claudia Sheinbaum’s victory, what we might expec…

1
E151 - The Nuclear Club, Pt. 3 w/ Jonathan Hunt 50:39

2M ago50:39

50:39

Danny and Derek welcome back Jonathan Hunt, assistant professor at the U.S. Naval War College and a fellow of the Nuclear Security Program at Yale University, to talk about his book The Nuclear Club, which follows the efforts of a select few world powers to maintain exclusive access to nuclear weapons. This final episode examines President Lyndon J…

1
Unregistered 275: Jenin Younes 1:25:20

2M ago1:25:20

1:25:20

Jenin Younes is Litigation Counsel for the New Civil Liberties Alliance and was one of the most important civil rights attorneys during the COVID era. She joined me to discuss the broad political coalition that opposed mandates and lockdowns but is now fracturing over the war in Gaza. Tickets for ICARUS FEST 2024 on sale now: https://www.icarusfest…

1
Bonus - The Liberal Way w/ Alexandre Lefebvre 6:17

2M ago6:17

6:17

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.americanprestigepod.com It’s Debate Day here at American Prestige, and Alexandre Lefebvre, professor of politics and philosophy at The University of Sydney, has graciously agreed to join us to discuss the major points of his book Liberalism as a Way of Life. He and Danny (along with …

1
Season 6 Episode 19: Tucker Carlson & Dugin (ft. Matt McManus & C. Derrick Varn) 2:29:27

1M ago2:29:27

2:29:27

This time we bring on the big guns--political science professor Matt McManus and Varn Vlog host C. Derrick Varn--to help Ben Burgis watch Tucker Carlson's interview with Russian fascist intellectual Aleksandr Dugin. This interview is basically GTAA catnip. Before that, we introduce new GTAA intern Aidan, talking about the protests at UCLA, and we d…

1
Unregistered 274: Munther Younes 1:28:18

2M ago1:28:18

1:28:18

I was joined by Munther Younes, a lecturer of linguistics at Cornell University, who was born and raised in the West Bank before, during, and after the Israeli occupation. Tickets for ICARUS FEST 2024 on sale now: https://www.icarusfest.com/ New courses at Unregistered Academy: FASCISM with Thaddeus Russell, John Foot, and David Beito https://www.u…

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