In the Context of Empire

Jonathan Lancaster and Matthew McKenna

A podcast where two social studies teachers discuss history, American empire, US politics and their own lives. Traditional narratives regarding American history are challenged in a tone that ranges from playful to hostile.

  1. 11/03/2022

    Episode 61: The New York Times Advertises for Mercenaries!

    Matt and Matt discuss a recent New York Times article, An American in Ukraine Finds the War He’s Been Searching For.. This article is every bit as terrible as the title indicates! Our Work: Read our "In the Context of Empire" blog with corresponding and expanded posts on this content! Find some of Matt M's writing at CovertAction Magazine Social Media: Twitter- @JonTheContrary, @MatthewConnors3 and @mattylongruns

    47 min

  2. 09/27/2022

    Episode 59: NPR Distorts History and Obfuscates US Role in the Current Crisis in Afghanistan with Bryce Greene

    We were privileged to be  joined by Bryce Greene to discuss the current U.S made crisis in Afghanistan and complicity of U.S media in prolonging the suffering of the Afghan people. Bryce is contributor to the media watchdog Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. His two recent articles titled NPR Distorts History of US Invasion of Afghanistan and NPR Devotes Almost Two Hours to Afghanistan Over Two Weeks—and 30 Seconds to US Starving Afghans are discussed in this episode. Discussed in this Episode: - Bryce's interest in media criticism specifically with regards to foreign policy - NPR's distortion of the beginnings of the US role in Afghanistan - NPR's obfuscation of the fact that the US is starving Afghans - The importance of criticizing liberal networks like NPR - Why it is so harmful for networks like NPR to distort the nefarious role played by the US in Afghanistan and many other nations victimized by the US empire.  Our Work: Read our "In the Context of Empire" blog with corresponding and expanded posts on this content! Find some of Matt M's writing at CovertAction Magazine Social Media: Twitter- @JonTheContrary

    1h 11m

  3. 03/18/2022

    Episode 58: Public School Teachers Play Geopolitics!

    Jon, and the Matts (Connors and McKenna) discuss current events in Ukraine and lend some of their unsolicited commentary on the crisis.  Discussed in this Episode: Jon’s trip to Vietnam - How’s it going? Updates? - Matt Connor's journey as an educator, left wing thinker, and anti-imperialist - Russia - Ukraine - US media coverage of the crisis - Worthy vs unworthy victims - “Russian disinformation” IE explaining relevant context - "Conspiratorial thinking" vs very obvious geopolitical and material goals in US foreign policy Our Work: Read our "In the Context of Empire" blog with corresponding and expanded posts on this content! Find some of Matt's writing at CovertAction Magazine Social Media: Twitter- @JonTheContrary and @Mattylongruns Music produced by Zac McKenna- @mcktasty

    1h 7m

  4. 02/25/2022

    Episode 57: Russia-Ukraine Conflict and US Media Malfeasance with Bryce Greene

    Matt was joined by Bryce Greene to discuss the Russia- Ukraine crisis. Bryce Greene is a contributor to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. Some of his recent articles include What You Should Really Know About Ukraine and Vox Omits US Military Role in African Instability. More of his work can be found at FAIR.  *NOTE: This episode was recorded on 2/22/22, the day before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The historical context and media critiques nonetheless remain relevant to the current crisis.* Discussed in this Episode: - Bryce's background and interest in media criticism through the lens of anti-imperialism - Patterns in US media's coverage of US foreign policy - US media misreporting Ukraine crisis- NATO expansion, 2014 Maidan Coup, Russian annexation of Crimea, civil war in the Donbas - Outlooks for the future Our Work: Read our "In the Context of Empire" blog with corresponding and expanded posts to this content! Find some of Matt's writing at CovertAction Magazine Social Media: Twitter- @JonTheContrary and  @Mattylongruns Music produced by Zac McKenna- @mcktasty

    1h 17m

  5. 02/24/2022

    Episode 56: Jonny goes to Vietnam!

    The band is back together! Jon rejoined the podcast to talk about his trip to Vietnam, what he hopes to accomplish and its implications for anti imperialist education in US. Matt also does his best at an explainer for the situation in Ukraine.  Our Work: Read our "In the Context of Empire" blog with corresponding and expanded posts to this content! Find some of Matt's writing at CovertAction Magazine Social Media: Twitter- @JonTheContrary and  @Mattylongruns Music produced by Zac McKenna- @mcktasty

    49 min

  6. 12/31/2021

    Episode 55: An Endorsement of Whataboutism, Tankies and Moral Equivalence with Justin Podur

    Matt was joined by Justin Podur to discuss the terms "whataboutism," "tankies" and "moral equivalence" as useful tools for anti imperialists, despite imperialist attempts to dismiss them. Justin is the  founder of the Anti Empire Project and Anti Empire project Podcast. He is the author of America’s Wars on Democracy in Rwanda and the DR Congo and The Path of the Unarmed. He is the co-author of Extraordinary Threat: The U.S. Empire, the Media, and Twenty Years of Coup Attempts in Venezuela Justin is also an Associate Professor at York University's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. Discussed in this Episode: - The origins of "whataboutism," how it has been used, and why imperialists are so quick to dismiss it as a tactics - The racist origins of imperialists dismissing calls for racial equality as "whataboutism" throughout the the Cold War - A discussion about how literally EVERY BEHAVIOR the United States accuses other nations of are behaviors that US either engages in itself, or supports governments that do so.  - The value of "whatboutism" as a tool in argument - The charge of being a "tankie" or engaging in moral equivalence - Is calling out hypocrisy useful? There are endless examples, but do the imperialists actually care if they are behaving in obviously hypocritical ways? Our Work: Read our "In the Context of Empire" blog with corresponding and expanded posts to this content! Find some of Matt's writing at CovertAction Magazine Social Media: Twitter- @JonTheContrary and  @Mattylongruns Music produced by Zac McKenna- @mcktasty

    1h 15m

  7. 11/20/2021

    Episode 54: The Not So Good Neighbor Policy with Alex Avina

    Matt was joined by Alex Avina to discuss the treacherous legacy of US imperialism in Latin America. Alex currently an associate professor of history in the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies at Arizona State University. He is the author of Specters of Revolution: Peasant Guerillas and the Cold War in the Mexican Countryside. You can find his writing in many places including the Foreign Policy focused blog, Foreign Exchanges along with his own website. You can find his writing in many places including the Foreign Policy focused blog, Foreign Exchanges.  Discussed in this Episode: - The origins of Alex's interest in the history of imperialism in Latin America - Stages of US imperialism and the various forms it has taken - Latin America as a training ground for US empire  - The lesser known but crucially important examples of US imperialism in the hemisphere - The incredible capacity for hyporcrisy displayed by US liberals who while professing anti racism at home,  support incredibly racist US policies in Latin America - Possibilities for a brighter future in the hemisphere  Our Work: Read our "In the Context of Empire" blog with corresponding and expanded posts to this content! Find some of Matt's writing at CovertAction Magazine Social Media: Twitter- @JonTheContrary and  @Mattylongruns Music produced by Zac McKenna- @mcktasty

    1h 23m

  8. 11/20/2021

    Episode 53: Wait... Who is the Extraordinary Threat? Venezuela as a Case Study in US Imperialism & Propaganda with Justin Podur and Joe Emersberger

    Justin Podur and Joe Emersberger join Matt to discuss their excellent new book, Extraordinary Threat: The US Empire, the Media, and Twenty Years of Coup Attempts in Venezuela. Justin is the founder of the Anti Empire Project and Anti Empire project Podcast. He is also the author of America’s Wars on Democracy in Rwanda and the DR Congo and The Path of the Unarmed, He is also an associate professor at York University's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. Joe is a prolific anti imperialist author, primarily focused on Latin America. His writing can be found at FAIR, Counterpunch, Venezuelanalysis.com,, TeleSUR English and The Canary.  Discussed in this Episode:  - Justin and Joe's interest in Venezuela - The reality of the "once prosperous Venezuela that existed prior to Chavez. (also covered in Justin and Joe's article in FAIR)  - The accomplishments of Chavismo - The myth of fraudulent Venezuela elections - Actually, "whataboutism" is an extremely useful critique of US empire as it engages in projection in 100% of its accusations against other nations - The manner by which the US attempts to destabilize or overthrow governments,  and then cynically feigns outrage when targeted nations take any measures to defend their nations from subversion.  - The racist, classist and violent character of the Venezuelan opposition - The imperialists' 'cynical weaponization of human rights even when they appear genuinely concerned, IE the New York Times is upset about torture... because it limits the US credibility to bully other nations.  - The shameful role that US progressives (AOC, Bernie Sanders) have played in demonizing Venezuela - Hopes for the future of Chavismo and the Latin American left more broadly,  Our Work: Read our "In the Context of Empire" blog with corresponding and expanded posts to this content! Find some of Matt's writing at CovertAction Magazine Social Media: Twitter- @JonTheContrary and  @Mattylongruns Music produced by Zac McKenna

    1h 15m
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

A podcast where two social studies teachers discuss history, American empire, US politics and their own lives. Traditional narratives regarding American history are challenged in a tone that ranges from playful to hostile.

Information

  • Creator
    Jonathan Lancaster and Matthew McKenna
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2022
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jonathan Lancaster and Matthew McKenna