Best Reyes Gon Podcasts (2024)

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Walk The Way: A New Podcast from Stephen Kent 2:16

9M ago2:16

2:16

If you loved Beltway Banthas, you can still keep learning from Star Wars. Stephen Kent has a new podcast with co-host Riley Blanton, it's called Walk The Way. Inspired by the writing from How The Force Can Fix The World and This Is The Way, Walk The Way is dedicated to building a community around popular fiction and self-improvement. Myth can make …

1
FINALE: Do you want to know the REAL politics of Star Wars? 27:02

2y ago27:02

27:02

Join me at ThisIsTheWay.substack.com for the next chapter of Star Wars + politics and whatever else. Beltway Banthas has been one of the great joys of my life, and it's time to let it go. I believe even better things will come. I hope you'll come along with me. Twitter: @Stephen_kent89 The Force will be with you, always.…

1
THIS IS THE WAY: An N95 masked bicyclist, The Phantom Menace and the problem with pride 11:19

2y ago11:19

11:19

Have you ever felt anger, hatred or contempt toward someone? What about a total stranger? If you hadn’t, you might not be a human being. Just something to consider. This episode of Beltway Banthas: This Is The Way, is a reflection on loving your enemies. Not such an easy thing to do, and we don’t have all the answers, but you can start with address…

1
THIS IS THE WAY: General Leia, Marcus Aurelius and the state of the Beltway Banthas podcast 12:57

2y ago12:57

12:57

What's going on with Beltway Banthas?! Why is Stephen Kent speaking so softly and what is this lovely background music?! Beltway Banthas is in a new season of it's life called 'This Is The Way,' a run of episodes focused on taking Star Wars wisdom and turning it out onto real life. Today Stephen answers a listener feedback email and has a call to a…

1
THIS IS THE WAY: Yoda, being prepared and a prayer for Ukraine 12:23

2y ago12:23

12:23

Introducing THIS IS THE WAY, a new series from Beltway Banthas focused on putting the virtues and lessons on living from Star Wars into action. Today's episode is a reflection on Preparedness, or being prepared. There are a lot of things in the world you can worry about, lose sleep over or feel anxiety over, but what you do with those feelings is a…

1
THIS IS THE WAY: Empathy, anger and Qui-Gon Jinn meditating during battle 8:17

2+ y ago8:17

8:17

Have you ever spoken in anger or put your foot in your mouth? It's sort of the way of the world these days, in case you haven't noticed or been online much. Today's podcast is an honest reflection on an experience I had with my own anger, understanding its source and a lesson on empathy. The Greek stoic Zeno once said, “Better to trip with the feet…

1
THIS IS THE WAY: Named your fear must be, before banish it you can 7:46

2+ y ago7:46

7:46

We live in a frightening time. Star Wars is steadfast in reminds us that Fear is the start of a road toward darkness. Fear leads to Anger, Anger leads to Hate, and Hate leads to Suffering. So says Yoda to a young Anakin Skywalker who admitted he missed his Mother. Understandably so, he was 9 years old and away from her and home for the first time i…

1
THIS IS THE WAY: How Kylo Ren, Rey and love brought balance to the Force 17:56

2+ y ago17:56

17:56

Why were the Jedi so obsessed with the prophecy of balance being brought to the Force? And why did they clearly fail so badly? It's because balance is easier said than done, and their moral commitments were out of step with the principle of what balance really is. This episode is an explainer on how Rey and Kylo Ren eventually brought balance to th…

1
THIS IS THE WAY: Rey Skywalker and your power to choose 19:10

2+ y ago19:10

19:10

Do we have free will and the power to choose our own destiny? Star Wars is clear eyed about both the power and reality of choice, but also the gravity of choices that were made FOR us. How have you had choices in your life limited by circumstance for the actions of others? We've all been there. But you can do something about it. In this Beltway Ban…

1
How Star Wars Mirrors The American Culture Wars ft Tom Luongo 42:27

2+ y ago42:27

42:27

Star Wars, like any worthwhile piece of art, will always reflect the tensions of trials of the time in which it was created. This was the case for the original trilogy in a post-Vietnam America, and it was for the prequels during the Bush years and the War on Terror. Star Wars clicked with the mood of the times, because the mood impacted the films …

1
In Star Wars, Faith & Life, Empathy Is A Dangerous Necessity 42:53

2+ y ago42:53

42:53

Opportunities to discuss morality, virtue, and living well through the lens of Star Wars are all around us. For fans, this is part of what makes the galaxy far far away so special. Today's episode is a somewhat spontaneous look at the subject of Empathy, by way of a piece of writing by David French. A past guest of Beltway Banthas, French has a uni…

1
Making "How The Force Can Fix The World" into an audiobook 33:55

2+ y ago33:55

33:55

Ever wanted to peek behind the curtain of the making of an Audiobook? Now you can! In this episode of Beltway Banthas, check out what's going on with the making of How The Force Can Fix The World for Audible. Stick around for a preview of Stephen Kent's appearance on the Around The Galaxy podcast to talk about the politics of Star Wars fandom, and …

1
Empathy is a gift to yourself, Star Wars can help you find it 1:20:50

2+ y ago1:20:50

1:20:50

"Empathy does not make you a good person. Being able to employ it does not rid you of your own basement of horrors. It is a tool to enhance our thinking, for if we know how other people feel, we have a better chance of understanding their thoughts. Hence why it is best used in service of those you disagree with" - Ayishat A Akanbi. Today's show is …

1
Tyrants love your despair, but Star Wars is fighting for hope 45:50

3y ago45:50

45:50

Hope is like the sun. So says General Leia. This week on Beltway Banthas, some thoughts on why the struggle for hope in hopeless times is the good fight. Logan Albright joins the show to talk about his recent op-ed on the problem of hopelessness & rising deaths of despair, and what it means for our politics and relationships. Of course, this all re…

1
How the FORCE can fix the world, weekly listener hangouts and Star Wars life lessons 29:19

3y ago29:19

29:19

Banthas! We're back and up and running after a brief disturbance in the Force. On this episode, Stephen Kent breaks down the latest in the journey toward publishing a book based on this very podcast and the life lessons embedded in Star Wars. Here you can listen to Stephen read the draft Introduction to the book: How The Force Can Fix The World: Le…

1
Redemption, feeding the Shadow and how Star Wars conquers hubris 1:07:07

3y ago1:07:07

1:07:07

This month on Beltway Banthas, host Stephen Kent speaks with writer Brittany Hunter about Star Wars' complicated narrative on redemption. What does it mean to "come back to the light" or to be redeemed in Star Wars' greatest character arcs? As Stephen works his way toward finishing his book, How The Force Can Fix America this conversation is meant …

1
Understanding Economics with the Power of Star Wars 53:03

3y ago53:03

53:03

Economics is like the Force, it surrounds us, penetrates us and binds the galaxy together. If you've never really been into economic theory, it's okay you're not alone. This episode is your primer on Economics 101 using Star Wars as a guide to powerful ideas such as Game Theory, Supply & Demand, Opportunity Cost and Incentives. Whether it's Rogue O…

1
Self-own or cancel culture? Gina Carano fired from The Mandalorian 44:24

3y ago44:24

44:24

Gina Carano has been sacked by Disney Lucasfilm and will not be involved in The Mandalorian going forward. Today on Beltway Banthas, Stephen Kent speaks with Robby Soave of Reason Magazine and author of Panic Attack: Young Radicals in the Age of Trump. Robby and Stephen generally share the same concerns about what's known as cancel culture, but com…

1
Searching for Star Wars after an insurrection 1:10:39

3+ y ago1:10:39

1:10:39

America was attacked on January 6th, 2021 from within. A sitting president fulfilled his many years of promising to not concede a lost election and did so by sicking his craven supporters on Congress. Beltway Banthas is a Star Wars and politics podcast, but sometimes Star Wars is hard to find in the moments when history is being written on TV. In t…

1
Star Wars on hope, fear and a much needed New Year 35:15

3+ y ago35:15

35:15

Star Wars is all about conquering fear. Naming it. Facing it. It's the destiny of a Jedi after all. This episode is a reflection on fear, attachment and the search for hope beyond 2020. It's okay if you don't feel hope. This year has been hard. But nevertheless, "hope is like the sun...if you only believe in it when you see it, you'll never make it…

1
Outer Rim Elegy & Brian Silliman of SYFY WIRE on The Mandalorian 50:03

3+ y ago50:03

50:03

Hello Banthas! I hope you had a great holiday weekend. The episode for this month tackles the political intrigue of The Mandalorian, whose recent episode offered some new insights on the troubles of governing a galaxy. There's a lot to chew on and it's important, not just for understanding Star Wars lore but for grappling with our own world's polit…

1
Election 2020 Rebel Alliance Situation Room Roundtable 1:25:47

3+ y ago1:25:47

1:25:47

Election Day is upon us. ALL WINGS REPORT IN! On this months edition of the Beltway Banthas Roundtable, Stephen Kent is joined by Joe Tavano and Gabby Martin to ready for the 2020 election and break down our most recent episode. David French recently joined the podcast to explain why "Federalism" might be America's only salvation as polarization ri…

1
How do we dismantle the Death Star level threat of politics? 41:56

3+ y ago41:56

41:56

Did you hear? The U.S. presidential election next week is the most important election of our lifetime. Maybe that's true. But it's been said of every election since Reagan and beyond. Why does politics feel this way? Are the stakes supposed to always feel existential, or like life and death? Beltway Banthas explores this through the Star Wars lens …

1
Star Wars, Court-Packing and Mike Lee vs the Galactic Senate 19:13

3+ y ago19:13

19:13

In this special broadcast of Beltway Banthas, host Stephen Kent and producer Riley Blanton react to Republican Senator Mike Lee's mention of Star Wars' Galactic Senate to describe Court-Packing. Why did he say this? Slate seems to suggest it's a lowkey expression of Lee's disdain for diversity and pluralistic government, but does that sort of miss …

1
Roundtable: Star Wars and the fight to save democracy 55:29

3+ y ago55:29

55:29

On this roundtable follow up to our most recent episode, "Does liberty always die in thunderous applause?" politicos Nick Dicolandrea and Danielle Adams rejoin Beltway Banthas to discuss the show. The panel grapples with the idea that democracy could die in the United States with barely a whimper, and why the political lessons of Star Wars still re…

1
Does liberty always die with thunderous applause? 38:21

3+ y ago38:21

38:21

"So this how liberty dies...with thunderous applause." There is so much of that line by Padme in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, that is timeless and true. But what if America's democratic crisis is more complicated and harder to even see? Featuring expert guest insights from Ilya Somin (George Mason University) and Prof. Seth Masket (University …

1
Important podcast update, exciting news and Rogue One in real life 12:26

4y ago12:26

12:26

Hello Banthas! We have some important updates about the podcast to share with you. Exciting news to be sure. In this broadcast, you'll get a quick primer on what we're working on and why! The podcast is about to undergo a major transformation and we hope you'll be part of it. **LISTENER SURVEY https://forms.gle/x2mkMgL1sWkTVZkW8 **NEWSLETTER SIGNUP…

1
Reflections on the politics of Revenge of the Sith at fifteen years 46:42

4y ago46:42

46:42

Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is a movie about control, and what happens when someone with a great deal of power cannot bear the idea of living with unpredictability. It's relatable. We all want a certain degree of control over our lives and destinies. 15 years after Revenge of the Sith and its message about control and safety vs security...what…

1
E.K. Johnston on Padme, Trade Wars and the politics of Naboo 28:33

4y ago28:33

28:33

Star Wars author E.K. Johnston just put out her latest book on Padme, "Queens Peril". This new canon novel takes a look at Padme's rise the political power on Naboo and the days leading up to the Droid Invasion of Star Wars: Episode I. E.K and Stephen talk Naboo politics, how real-world principles over trade and immigration impact a galaxy, far, fa…

1
Star Wars' Identity Crisis Mirrors Our Own 43:38

4y ago43:38

43:38

Kat Rosenfield wrote for Reason Magazine a feature piece on how Star Wars' three trilogies aligns almost perfectly with the politics of the time they were made in. What makes the sequel trilogy so unique, Episodes VII-IX, is that their chaotic nature almost mirrors the era we live in today.

1
Michael Steel on the DC cantina, Han Solo and Star Wars' case for democracy 37:37

4y ago37:37

37:37

Michael Steel is a Republican strategist and partner for Hamilton Place Strategies. He served as a communications officer for the likes the Jeb Bush, Paul Ryan and John Boehner. He caught the eye of Beltway Banthas when on Kasie DC (MSNBC) he knocked the Trump administration for approaching staffing like it was the Mos Eisley Cantina. We get into h…

1
The Tibetan struggle and the Force's threat to tyrants 50:45

4y ago50:45

50:45

No tyrant can fully control a people if they believe in something higher than their worldly ruler. This is reason all memory of the Jedi must be wiped out by the Empire. The Force is a threat. Ashwin Verghese of the Internation Campaign for Tibet sees this struggle playing out between the Tibetan people and the Chinese government. He joined Beltway…

1
Mayor Betsy Hodges on surviving, governing and escaping to Tatooine 52:06

4y ago52:06

52:06

Mayor Betsy Hodges may be the former mayor of Minneapolis and now Washington, D.C., but she's really a citizen of Tatooine. In this special interview episode, the progressive activist and mayor joins Beltway Banthas to share how Star Wars saved her life (The Mary Sue). Beyond her personal story, which is a remarkable one, Stephen Kent and Betsy Hod…

1
Ben Domenech (The Federalist) on The Rise of Skywalker, The Mandalorian and democracy 59:25

4y ago59:25

59:25

To supplement your social distancing we have a bonus episode with Ben Domenech, publisher of The Federalist. Ben and Stephen review the ending of the sequel trilogy and the case for The Mandalorian as the future of Star Wars storytelling. Ben makes a compelling point about why Star Wars raises some questions about the value and trade off's of democ…

1
The Clone Wars and the politics of starving 1:05:37

4y ago1:05:37

1:05:37

Season 7 of The Clone Wars is live on Disney+ and it's as political as ever. Characters have to make real hard moral choices given their economic status, which is the making of a great Beltway Banthas episode. Bernie Sanders organizer Mohammed Shakibnia joins the show to dissect The Clone Wars political themes. Plus! Herb Scribner of the Deseret Ne…

1
Interview: Gene Park of the Washington Post 38:14

4y ago38:14

38:14

Gene Park may have been the very first Star Wars fan to buy a ticket for Episode I: The Phantom Menace. In this special interview, Washington Post gaming reporter Gene Park talks about his Star Wars fandom and how storytelling methods from video games have crept in and out of blockbuster films. Gene memorably wrote in for WaPo about how the ‘Rise o…

1
Can the Force fix America? ft. Maggie Lovitt 1:02:13

4y ago1:02:13

1:02:13

Beltway Banthas is back! In Episode 81, host Stephen Kent and guest host Maggie Lovitt review the latest Star Wars news including The High Republic era and The Rise of Skywalker novelization. We discuss theories around central planning and how some of the classic mistakes of governance might apply to the oddities in Star Wars storytelling since 201…

1
#ReleaseTheJJCut: Star Wars and Conspiracy Theory 58:12

4+ y ago58:12

58:12

Look around the world today and you will see otherwise advanced societies overrun by misinformation, myth and conspiratorial thinking. Information echo chambers and media disruption has helped to polarize communities on everything from political viewpoints to opinions on Star Wars. Buzzfeed's Ryan Broderick wrote The “Star Wars” Misinformation Hell…

1
A Rise of Skywalker Review Spectacular! 1:25:00

4+ y ago1:25:00

1:25:00

What a merry time of year it is!! Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker crashed into theaters and has concluded the 42 year run of the Skywalker story that started in 1977. Stephen Kent saw it opening night and again the first weekend, and this is your REVIEW episode of the film. Stephen is joined by friends of the show to look at how The Ris…

1
The Rise of Andrew Heaton and the case for Empire 1:06:48

4+ y ago1:06:48

1:06:48

The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters this week! To discuss the hype and stakes for the film, comedian and baritone geek Andrew Heaton joins Beltway Banthas. We get into the return of Emperor Palpatine, Rey, fanboys vs The Last Jedi and Heaton's recent interview of Jonathan Last, who notoriously penned "The Case For Empire" in the Weekly Standard.…

1
The Mandalorian, Legal Geeks and Baby Yoda 1:03:00

4+ y ago1:03:00

1:03:00

The world loves The Mandalorian! This week on Beltway Banthas, guests Josh Gilliland (The Legal Geeks Podcast) and Gio Insignares (WUSA Channel 9 DC) join to discuss the new Star Wars series on Disney+. We review the show itself, Baby Yoda and the legal questions raised by the entire profession of bounty hunting. Gilliland helps us understand The M…

1
Kennedy of Fox Business on Star Wars, Resistance and War 46:32

4+ y ago46:32

46:32

This week on Beltway Banthas, the one and only Kennedy of Fox Business joins the show to share her Star Wars stories. You know her from Fox News, or perhaps from her time as a VJ on MTV. Either way, the Force is strong with this one. Kennedy and Stephen talk about everything from Luke vs Han, Jar Jar and the Leia bikini to U.S. foreign policy and D…

1
Michael Harris, progressive politics and "Welcome to the Rebellion" 1:14:40

4+ y ago1:14:40

1:14:40

This week on Beltway Banthas, author Michael Harris joins the show to preview his upcoming book, "Welcome to the Rebellion: A new hope in radical politics. Michael and Stephen discuss how Star Wars can inspire a young, new-left movement to confront the most pressing issues of the day for progressives: capitalism, income inequality, climate, nationa…

1
Star Wars in the Middle Kingdom, China and Hollywood censorship 1:00:18

4+ y ago1:00:18

1:00:18

Welcome back for another great show! This week Riley Blanton of The Star Wars Report and Mouse & Castle joins the show for a whirlwind of political chatter about a galaxy, far, far away. If you noticed the international controversy surrounding the NBA and their handling of political statements about the Hong Kong protests, this issue extends far be…

1
Barriss Offee, The Clone Wars and binary morality 1:05:45

4+ y ago1:05:45

1:05:45

During The Clone Wars a young Jedi turned against the war and Jedi Order's involvement in it. Convinced she had no other way to send a message of disaffection, Barriss Offee bombed the Jedi Temple and framed another Jedi for the act of terror. She was right about the war, and the Jedi, but did something very wrong. This week Danielle Adams, progres…

1
Glenn Beck on Star Wars, redemption and a political culture of anger 44:37

4+ y ago44:37

44:37

Hold on to something! This week we've got a bonus episode of Beltway Banthas, a conversation with Glenn Beck, radio show host and founder of Blaze Media. Stephen Kent met up with Glenn at FreedomFest in Las Vegas to talk about his earliest memories with Star Wars, lessons on the political power of fear, generational change and the evolution (plus c…

1
The Fandom Reformation, religious history and Star Wars 1:23:22

4+ y ago1:23:22

1:23:22

The week on Beltway Banthas, in a 90-minute marathon run, we cover a lot of ground on Star Wars, politics and religion. In the main segment Stephen Kent is joined by Matthew Neugebauer to analyze Star Wars fandom and its troubles over the decades. A video from Wisecrack serves as the starting point for an analogy of fandom by understanding Protesta…

1
What If We're On the Wrong Side? ft Nick DiColandrea 1:10:59

4+ y ago1:10:59

1:10:59

Welcome back Banthas! The Beltway Banthas podcast has returned with regular shows now through 2020. Starting off this new season of Star Wars & politics chatter, Stephen Kent is joined by guest host Nick DiColandrea for a dive into the political conscience of Padme Amidala. In Revenge of the Sith, she opens up to Anakin about her uncertainty with t…

1
The Last Fodder and the future of Beltway Banthas 59:35

5y ago59:35

59:35

Hello Banthas! Since it's launch in 2015 during the heat of the presidential primaries for 2016, Beltway Banthas has been a proud home of political discourse within Star Wars fandom. We've featured prominent politicians, journalists and political operatives on the show to explore how Star Wars impacted their worldview and careers. 70 official episo…

1
Racial, social and economic justice in Star Wars 1:03:19

5y ago1:03:19

1:03:19

Star Wars deals very directly with questions of justice and injustice. Mohammad Shakibnia wrote an article for ElevenThirtyEight on the messages of social, racial and economic justice than can be derived from the Clone Wars animated series. He joins the podcast this month to co-pilot the show and discuss these themes with host Stephen Kent.…

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