INTERVIEW: “From Franco’s Fascism to Trump’s Nationalism: Arlie, and Adam Hochschild” / The Laura Flanders Show ☮

In the aftermath of the election, much has been said about what liberal government, media, businesses failed to do: contextualize his rise to office and connect with his voters to change their minds. In this episode, Laura interviews Adam and Arlie Hochschild, the duo who have each spent their careers documenting the complexities of political behavior.

Arlie Hochschild, with pragmatic energy, undertook the work we’d all like to do: she left the liberal haven of Berkeley, CA to go to the Louisiana Bayou — a stronghold of the conservative right. Hochschild interviews Trump voters about their “deep story,” what drives them and how they feel left behind by the same liberal policies they need the most. Her new book — a National Book Award finalist–, Strangers in their Own Land, hopes to find common ground with Tea Partiers and “alt righters” beyond politics.

Adam Hochschild is a celebrated writer, cofounder of Mother Jones magazine, whose new book Spain in Our Hearts: Americans in the Spanish Civil War. Hochschild, author of eight books, writes with what the New York Times calls prose “constantly vivid yet emotionally restrained” about the struggle of young Americans who joined Spanish Republicans during the Spanish Civil War. In our current politically fraught time, Hochschild speaks to the hallmarks of fascism and how to mark its ascent.

All this, and an F-Word from Laura on the media vs. Trump, why it’s not just about alternative news but about finding an alternative to news.

ACTIVISM AND ADVOCACY: “Jordan Flaherty: Say No to the Savior Complex” / The Laura Flanders Show ☮

“In the real world, people don’t need heroes, they need systemic solutions to racism, patriarchy, colonialism, and capitalism.”

Journalist and author of “No More Heroes: Grassroots Challenges to the Savior Mentality” Jordan Flaherty talks about savior complexes and why they get in the way of real change.

ACTIVISM AND ADVOCACY: “USA vs No More War at DNC” / The Laura Flanders Show ☮

Laura Flanders caught reaction from the California delegation to the speech of secretary Clinton and before her, to Retired Marine Gen John Allen, former Commander of international security forces in Afghanistan. Hear marine vet from Stockton, Progressive Democrat activist Norman Solomon and others and watch anti-war voter Rep. Barbara Lee. Much more from DNC at LauraFlanders Show.

ACTIVISM AND ADVOCACY: “Bernie’s Revolution: Socialism and the People’s Struggle Against Capitalism” / The Laura Flanders Show / Kshama Sawant ☮

Bernie’s success as a mainstream, socialist presidential candidate has taken most commentators by surprise; even after he’d been mathematically counted out of the Democratic nomination race, support for Bernie Sanders kept coming in.

One person who wasn’t surprised though, is this week’s guest, Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant. Kshama is a teacher, activist, organizer, and a member of Socialist Alternative. She was a visible presence in the Occupy Movement, and an activist in her union, the American Federation of Teachers Local 178.

In 2013, Sawant ran for Seattle City Council on a platform of fighting for a $15/hr minimum wage, rent control and taxing the super-rich to fund mass transit and education. She defeated a 16-year incumbent Democrat to become the first socialist elected in a major US city in decades, and the first socialist on the Seattle city council since 1877.

On the show, Sawant discusses the radical potential of Bernie’s politics, the possibilities for Socialism in America; and argues that the Democratic Party’s anti-Trump strategy, with Hillary at the helm, is critically flawed in the long run.

Also on the show, Greek alternative energy expert Ioannis Margaris discusses going from theory to practice in the Left government in Greece. All that and a few words from Laura on Liberal Democrats and Rosa Luxemburg.