Redefining The Record

Marlena

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This is your home base for all three shows under Redefining the Record— Off the Record: the original, weekly commentary The Record: daily news without the spin Voices 4 Change: bimonthly conversations with 2026 candidates redefiningtherecord.substack.com

10/20/2025

The Record🗞️ - Monday, October 20th

Good morning. It’s Monday, October 20th, and this is The Record🗞️.Today’s show is about digital dependence, authoritarian theatrics, and the shifting lines of global power.From Trump mocking millions of protesters with Ai imagery, to an internet outage that took down half the web, to Zelenskyy navigating pressure from both Washington and Moscow—it’s a reminder: power isn’t always taken by force. sometimes, it’s coded, clicked, or quietly conceded.let’s get into it. 📰 headline rundown 🗞️ 1: Trump mocks “No Kings” protests with Ai memes What’s happening:President Trump shared Ai-generated memes depicting himself as a crowned ruler after millions joined “No Kings” demonstrations across the U.S. and abroad.What to know:The posts fueled accusations of authoritarianism as critics point to Trump’s pattern of power abuse—from politicized pardons to unilateral military strikes.My take:When a leader mocks dissent instead of listening to it, he’s telling you exactly who he thinks he is. And it’s not a president. 🗞️ 2: Amazon outage exposes global fragility What’s happening:A massive Amazon Web Services outage temporarily knocked out major websites—Roblox, Fortnite, Reddit, Signal, and even media outlets—before being restored early Monday.What to know:It was a global digital blackout that underscored just how dependent the world has become on a single company’s cloud.My take:When one outage can silence half the internet, that’s not efficiency—it’s monopoly in disguise. 🗞️ 3: Zelenskyy calls for missile aid, open to Trump-Putin summitWhat’s happening:Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requested 25 more U.S. Patriot batteries and said he’s willing to attend a Trump-Putin summit in Hungary.What to know:Reports suggest Trump privately urged Zelenskyy to accept Russian terms—potentially ceding parts of Donbas to end the war.My take:“Peace talks” mean nothing if they start with surrender. Ukraine’s survival shouldn’t be a negotiation tactic. 🧠 gut check The through line here is control—who has it, who’s losing it, and who’s pretending they don’t want it.The systems we rely on—political, digital, global—are fragile because they were built for profit, not people.And when everything feels like it’s breaking, that’s not chaos.That’s the moment before change.Substack | Podcast | Daily News📲 IG: @marlenabeautydotcom | @redefiningtherecord✍️ Substack: Redefining the Record Fueling independent media that refuses to look away.✨ Tip Jar ✨Venmo: marlenageller | Buy Me a Coffee🎙 Hosted by Marlena📍 Recorded in California—with one dog, zero filters, and no coffee (yet) ⛓️‍💥 Untangling broken systems, social media, and tech stacks.→ Now taking a few social media + strategy clients. Get full access to Redefining the Record at redefiningtherecord.substack.com/subscribe

3 min
10/19/2025

🎙️ The Record🗞️ - Sunday Oct 19

🎙️ The Record🗞️ — How We Got Here good morning, it’s October 19th, welcome back to the record🗞️. i’m marlena. today’s episode is about how we got to the point where millions of people had to take the streets just to remind america — we don’t do kings. this didn’t start overnight. it’s been years in the making — every moment we normalized cruelty, excused corruption, or laughed at the collapse of empathy. from mocking a disabled reporter to bragging about assault, from “very fine people on both sides” to “maybe inject bleach” — the line kept moving, and we kept adapting. we talk about what happens when humiliation becomes performance, when truth becomes optional, and when power stops fearing consequence. there’s the part nobody wants to touch — the parties, the flights, the photos. epstein. the network of power that let it all slide. because when money talks, morality whispers. somewhere along the way, democracy became a brand, and corruption became “strategy.” we forgot what accountability feels like. but this week — the people remembered.no kings day wasn’t about politics. it was about boundaries. about saying no to monarchy, no to blind loyalty, no to leaders who confuse control with love. listen in. it’s not just history — it’s a reckoning. 🎧 Gut Check That’s how we got here — not by accident, but by tolerance.By calling indecency “strength.” By mistaking cruelty for power.And now the people have to remind the system who’s in charge. 🎧 Sign-Off This is Marlena.You’re listening to The Record🗞️.And if nothing else — remember this:We don’t do kings. Not here. Not now. Not ever.Substack | Podcast | Daily News📲 IG: @marlenabeautydotcom | @redefiningtherecord✍️ Substack: Redefining the Record Fueling independent media that refuses to look away.✨ Tip Jar ✨Venmo: marlenageller | Buy Me a Coffee🎙 Hosted by Marlena📍 Recorded in California—with one dog, zero filters, and no coffee (yet) ⛓️‍💥 Untangling broken systems, social media, and tech stacks.→ Now taking a few social media + strategy clients. Get full access to Redefining the Record at redefiningtherecord.substack.com/subscribe

5 min
10/18/2025

Saturday, October 18th - The Record🗞️

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening. It’s Saturday, October 18th, my name is Marlena and this is The Record🗞️.Today’s show is about resistance — at home and abroad.Millions are taking to the streets for “No Kings Day.” Trump’s using the military to flex power. A convicted congressman walks free. And Zelenskyy leaves Washington without the answers he hoped for.Democracy is hanging by threads that used to be laws.Let’s get into it. 📰 headline rundown 🗞️ 1: No Kings Day protests sweep the U.S. and abroad What’s happening:Millions of Americans are expected to join “No Kings” protests across all 50 states today, with events in over 2,700 locations denouncing President Trump’s authoritarianism and militarization of U.S. cities.What to know:Organizers say protest participation doubled this week after Republican lawmakers attacked the movement. Demonstrations have already begun overseas — hundreds gathered outside the U.S. embassy in London, with more expected in Ireland later today.My take:When the people unite faster than politicians can divide them, that’s real democracy — not the kind written into constitutions, but the kind fought for in the streets. 🗞️ 2: Marines to fire live artillery over Interstate 5What’s happening:The U.S. Marines plan to fire 155mm artillery shells over Interstate 5 at Camp Pendleton on Saturday to mark the Marine Corps’ 250th anniversary.What to know:Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move as a dangerous “show of force,” while federal officials — including Vice President JD Vance — defended it as routine training. The New York Times confirmed my exclusive report from earlier this week but, of course, didn’t credit the source.My take:When live artillery becomes a PR stunt, we’re not celebrating the military — we’re normalizing militarization. 🗞️ 3: Trump commutes George Santos’ sentence What’s happening:President Trump has commuted former Rep. George Santos’ seven-year prison sentence, ordering his immediate release after citing alleged mistreatment.What to know:Allies like Marjorie Taylor Greene praised the move. Lawmakers and victims — including several former donors — called it “an insult to justice.” Santos had been convicted of fraud and theft.My take:This isn’t mercy — it’s messaging. Trump is rewarding loyalty and rewriting what criminality looks like in his America. 🗞️ 4: Zelenskyy leaves Washington without missile deal What’s happening:Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Trump neither approved nor rejected Ukraine’s request for Tomahawk missiles during their White House meeting.What to know:Trump’s team says talks will continue as the U.S. president prepares another meeting with Putin, even as Russian strikes escalate against Ukraine’s power grid.My take:“Undecided” in diplomacy often means “already decided.” Ukraine’s survival is being negotiated between two men who both see power as performance. 🧠 gut check Every act of protest today — every body in the street — is a refusal to be ruled.Power only works when we believe we don’t have any.That belief is breaking.Substack | Podcast | Daily News📲 IG: @marlenabeautydotcom | @redefiningtherecord✍️ Substack: Redefining the Record Fueling independent media that refuses to look away.✨ Tip Jar ✨Venmo: marlenageller | Buy Me a Coffee🎙 Hosted by Marlena📍 Recorded in California—with one dog, zero filters, and no coffee (yet) ⛓️‍💥 Untangling broken systems, social media, and tech stacks.→ Now taking a few social media + strategy clients. Get full access to Redefining the Record at redefiningtherecord.substack.com/subscribe

5 min
10/17/2025

Off The Record x The Record: Friday Oct 17

This episode is a call to action. Saturday, October 18th — the No Kings protest. It’s the one opportunity we have right now to make it count, in whatever way we can. Show up in person if you’re able. Honk, hold signs, bring energy. If you can’t attend physically, help someone who can — babysit, lend support, or spread the word online. Post, share, talk about it — anything that keeps the movement alive. Not everyone can be there in person, but everyone can show up in some way. We’re at a breaking point in this country. Silence equals compliance, and compliance equals collapse. Leadership is harming the very people they promised to protect, and democracy only works if we actually use it. This isn’t about chaos or violence — it’s about power exercised safely, intentionally, and collectively. If you look like me, use your privilege to lead and protect others. From airports rejecting propaganda videos to journalists being stripped of credentials, the control is tightening. Corporate media normalized this chaos years ago. Capitalism fuels the system, and protest is how we push back. No Kings Day isn’t just a moment; it’s unity in action. By the numbers, over 2,600 protests are planned nationwide — every state participating. People are ready; they just need a reminder they’re not alone. As we look toward the midterms, it’s impossible to ignore how money in politics and unchecked power have corrupted democracy. We’re now living in a time where silence feels safer than truth — and that’s exactly what those in power want. The media landscape isn’t helping either. Political content is being throttled, shadowbanned, and sanitized. Creators speaking truth are being suppressed, which makes our collective amplification that much more powerful. For the gut check this week, we talk Taylor Swift. Favorite song right now: Crazier from the Hannah Montana movie — a reminder that even innocence has power. The conversation around Taylor’s silence — and her safety versus responsibility — is complicated, but necessary. Empathy and accountability can coexist. This episode isn’t about despair; it’s about clarity. It’s about remembering that no one is coming to save us — we have to save each other. No kings. No silence. No more pretending this is normal. See you out there.Substack | Podcast | Daily News📲 IG: @marlenabeautydotcom | @redefiningtherecord✍️ Substack: Redefining the Record Fueling independent media that refuses to look away.✨ Tip Jar ✨Venmo: marlenageller | Buy Me a Coffee🎙 Hosted by Marlena📍 Recorded in California—with one dog, zero filters, and no coffee (yet) ⛓️‍💥 Untangling broken systems, social media, and tech stacks.→ Now taking a few social media + strategy clients. Get full access to Redefining the Record at redefiningtherecord.substack.com/subscribe

17 min
10/16/2025

The Record🗞️ - Thursday, October 16th

Good morning. It’s Thursday, October 16th, and this is The Record🗞️.Today’s show is about overreach — in power, in politics, and in public trust.From the Trump administration expanding IRS authority to target political opponents, to California calling out a live missile test over I-5, to elite universities rejecting ideological control — it’s all part of the same pattern: consolidation through chaos.And while the headlines sound surreal, the strategy is familiar.So let’s break it down. 📰 headline rundown 🗞️ 1: Trump’s IRS power grab What’s happening:The Wall Street Journal reports that the Trump administration plans a major overhaul of the IRS to expand its authority to investigate left-leaning groups.A senior Trump ally is reportedly being tapped to lead the agency’s criminal division — already drafting a list of potential targets, including prominent Democratic donors.What to know:Critics warn this could politicize tax enforcement and weaponize the IRS against opponents.Back in 2019, Trump said: “I will never allow the IRS to be used as a political weapon.”My take:When a government starts deciding who gets audited based on ideology, it’s not about taxes anymore — it’s about control. 🗞️ 2: Missiles over CaliforniaWhat’s happening:California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned a Trump administration plan to fire live missiles over Interstate 5 as part of a Navy “Sea to Shore” anniversary event near Camp Pendleton.What to know:The event, featuring Vice President JD Vance, comes amid a government shutdown — and escalating tensions between Trump and California officials following threats to deploy federal troops to San Francisco and withhold funding.My take:Missiles over freeways during a shutdown isn’t patriotism — it’s a performance of power. 🗞️ 3: Universities reject Trump’s ‘compact’ What’s happening:Brown and MIT have rejected a Trump administration offer promising expanded federal funding in exchange for strict ideological changes — banning sex and ethnicity in admissions, capping international enrollment, and policing faculty viewpoints.What to know:Nine elite universities reportedly received the proposal. Civil rights advocates are calling it an attempt to federalize higher education and suppress academic freedom.My take:Authoritarians don’t burn books anymore — they just rewrite the admissions policy. 🗞️ 4: Mexico rebukes U.S. cartel claims What’s happening:Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her government has “no information” confirming U.S. claims that cartels placed bounties on immigration officials — learning of it only through DHS.What to know:Security experts, including former DEA officials, dismissed the claim as implausible. Analysts say it may be politically motivated to justify harsh immigration crackdowns.My take:When a government needs a villain to justify its violence, it’ll invent one. 🧠 gut check It’s easy to mistake chaos for coincidence. But these aren’t isolated moves — they’re tests.Of what we’ll tolerate. Of what the press will normalize.And of how far a government can push before people stop calling it democracy. Substack | Podcast | Daily News📲 IG: @marlenabeautydotcom | @redefiningtherecord✍️ Substack: Redefining the Record Fueling independent media that refuses to look away.✨ Tip Jar ✨Venmo: marlenageller | Buy Me a Coffee 🎙 Hosted by Marlena📍 Recorded in California—with one dog, zero filters, and no coffee (yet) ⛓️‍💥 Untangling broken systems, social media, and tech stacks.→ Now taking a few social media + strategy clients. Get full access to Redefining the Record at redefiningtherecord.substack.com/subscribe

7 min
10/15/2025

The Record🗞️ - Wednesday, October 15th

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, October 15th, and this is The Record🗞️.Today’s show is about power, propaganda, and protest.From 10 million Americans preparing to march in defiance of a modern monarchy to the Supreme Court revisiting the foundations of voting rights—This isn’t random chaos. It’s coordinated control.And if we don’t call it out, it only grows stronger.🗞️ 1: The White House Braces for “No Kings Day” Protests What’s Happening:The White House and those in the executive branch around President Trump are growing increasingly nervous about the turnout for this week’s No Kings Day protests, with estimates suggesting that over 10 million Americans will take to the streets. What to Know:Organizers expect demonstrations across all 50 states on October 18 against Trump’s military crackdowns and the ongoing government shutdown. More than 2,500 events are planned. Republicans are calling them “hate America rallies,” while Democrats and civil rights groups say they’re a defense of democracy itself. My Take:When millions of people are ready to leave work, risk arrest, and march—something has broken. This isn’t just resistance—it’s remembrance. No kings means no unchecked power.🗞️ 2: Supreme Court Takes Up Louisiana Redistricting Case What’s Happening:The Supreme Court’s conservative majority is set to hear a major Louisiana redistricting case that could effectively dismantle a key part of the Voting Rights Act by determining whether states can consider race at all when drawing legislative maps. What to Know:If the Court limits race-based considerations, it could sharply reduce minority representation nationwide—just months before the 2026 elections. The decision could reshape Congress and state legislatures for a generation. My Take:This isn’t about maps—it’s about math. Dilute Black and brown votes, and power shifts permanently. Calling it “colorblind” doesn’t make it fair; it just hides the bias under cleaner language.🗞️ 3: DHS Spends $51 Million on Pro-Trump AdsWhat’s Happening:The Department of Homeland Security has spent $51 million this year on ads thanking President Trump for “securing the border,” making it the most expensive political-style ad campaign of 2025. What to Know:The campaign—funded entirely by taxpayers—looks and sounds like a re-election message. DHS insists it’s not political, but the optics tell another story. My Take:Propaganda doesn’t need to scream. Sometimes it just says, thank you, Mr. President, over and over again—until people stop questioning who paid for it. 🗞️ 4: Israel Rejects Body Returned Under Trump-Brokered Ceasefire What’s Happening:The Israeli military confirmed that a body returned by Hamas under President Trump’s ceasefire deal was not one of the remaining hostages, heightening pressure on both sides as the fragile truce hangs in the balance. What to Know:Prime Minister Netanyahu and Trump have warned Hamas to disarm, while Israel says it will restrict aid to Gaza until all 24 deceased hostages are returned. Inside Gaza, aid trucks remain stalled at crossings, hospitals are running out of fuel, and civilians continue to die from injuries and starvation amid worsening humanitarian collapse. My Take:A ceasefire without dignity or safety for civilians isn’t peace—it’s a pause in suffering. Security for Israelis cannot come at the cost of survival for Palestinians. Real justice has to mean protection for everyone, or it’s not justice at all.Substack | Podcast | Daily News📲 IG: @marlenabeautydotcom | @redefiningtherecord✍️ Substack: Redefining the Record Fueling independent media that refuses to look away.✨ Tip Jar ✨Venmo: marlenageller | Buy Me a Coffee 🎙 Hosted by Marlena📍 Recorded in California—with one dog, zero filters, and no coffee (yet) ⛓️‍💥 Untangling broken systems, social media, and tech stacks.→ Now taking a few social media + strategy clients. Get full access to Redefining the Record at redefiningtherecord.substack.com/subscribe

9 min
10/14/2025

Voices of the Working Class: William on Education, Empathy, and Fighting for Kentucky

🔥 Episode IntroIn this episode of Redefining The Record, I sit down with William — a public school teacher and congressional candidate in Kentucky. What starts as a conversation about working-class struggle and empathy in politics unfolds into a deeper look at education, access to healthcare, and what it really means to fight for your home state. William isn’t running for attention — he’s running because he is the working class. From McDonald’s shifts at 17 to teaching orchestra in public schools, his campaign is rooted in lived experience, not political polish. ✨ Key Moments * How a lack of empathy in Washington fires William up * Growing up working-class and why he believes lived experience belongs in Congress * Education reform, testing pressure, and why electives like art and music matter * Mental health, creativity, and how schools can better serve all students * The Kentucky roots behind his campaign — fighting for clean water, healthcare, and dignity * The story of Edmonson County’s contaminated water and what it reveals about federal neglect * What “making Kentucky better” means — affordable healthcare, teacher retention, and one-job livability 📢 Call To ActionWilliam’s campaign centers community over corporate power. If you want to support a movement built by and for everyday people: 👉 Visit William’s campaign site for volunteer info and policy updates👉 Follow him on social media to see the work unfold in real time 💬 ClosingAt Redefining The Record, I believe voices like William’s are the heartbeat of democracy — real people demanding real change. Conversations like these remind us that representation starts with empathy, not ego. 🎤 A Message to Candidates Watching If you’re a candidate watching this and thinking, “I’ve got a story too” — you do. And I want to help you tell it. I’m Marlena, creator of Redefining the Record, a media project built on truth-telling, resistance, and reclaiming the narrative from the noise. Starting with Monica (thank you, Monica!), I’m have launched Voices 4 Change: Candidate Series — short, 20-minute video interviews with people running for office who don’t fit the typical mold. If you’re challenging the status quo, building something bold, or just tired of being overlooked by traditional media, this space is for you. This isn’t about polished soundbites. It’s about showing up as you are — with vision, grit, and heart. If that sounds like your vibe, reach out. Let’s redefine the record — together. Substack | Podcast | Daily News📲 IG: @marlenabeautydotcom | @redefiningtherecord✍️ Substack: Redefining the Record Fueling independent media that refuses to look away.✨ Tip Jar ✨Venmo: marlenageller | Buy Me a Coffee hosted by Marlenarecorded in California with one dog, zero filters, and no coffee (yet) ⛓️‍💥 ready to untangle systems, social media, or tech stacks that keep working against you? get my portfolio here. Get full access to Redefining the Record at redefiningtherecord.substack.com/subscribe

27 min
10/13/2025

The Record🗞️ - Monday, October 13th

Good morning. It’s Monday, October 13th, and this is The Record🗞️.Today’s show is about control, chaos, and calculated distraction.From Ghislaine Maxwell’s special treatment inside a Texas prison, to Vice President JD Vance hinting at military deployment on U.S. soil, to an airport refusing propaganda from the Trump administration—and a tense shift in the Middle East as Trump stands before the Knesset, calling for Netanyahu’s pardon while hostages finally return home.This is the story of how power performs mercy while preparing for war. 📰 headline rundown (01:00–10:50) 🗞️ 1: Ghislaine Maxwell’s “special treatment” inside prison What’s happening:Ghislaine Maxwell’s transfer to a Texas minimum-security prison has reportedly led to lockdowns and outrage among inmates after an unexplained chapel meeting with visitors. Reports suggest she’s receiving private workouts, meal deliveries, and guarded escorts.What to know:The increased security and isolation have disrupted daily routines, raising questions about whether Maxwell’s protection outweighs the prison’s duty to treat all inmates equally.My take:When the powerful fall, they still land on cushions.Justice doesn’t look like this—it looks like accountability without comfort. 🗞️ 2: Trump administration weighs invoking the Insurrection Act What’s happening:Vice President JD Vance confirmed that the administration is considering invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy the military in U.S. cities—claiming it’s needed to stop rising crime.What to know:Violent crime is down, not up. Critics say this is about control, not safety—especially as courts block federalized National Guard deployments and the shutdown enters its third week.My take:When governments use “law and order” to silence dissent, it’s never about crime—it’s about power.This isn’t public safety; it’s political theater with tanks. 🗞️ 3: Seattle airport rejects DHS video blaming Democrats What’s happening:Seattle-Tacoma International Airport refused to play a video from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that blamed Democrats for the federal shutdown.What to know:Airport officials called it “too political” and are instead focusing on helping unpaid federal workers and encouraging bipartisan solutions.My take:When propaganda becomes policy, neutrality becomes resistance.This is a rare example of a public institution remembering its role—to serve people, not parties. 🗞️ 4: Trump’s address to the Knesset & Middle East update What’s happening:President Trump addressed Israel’s parliament, calling for Netanyahu to be pardoned ahead of a Middle East peace summit in Egypt.All 20 surviving hostages held in Gaza have been freed—seven are back in Israel, and 13 are en route. Only four bodies of those killed in captivity are being returned today.What to know:Hamas released the hostages in exchange for over 1,700 Palestinians detained since Oct. 7, 2023. The emotional returns mask the ongoing power negotiations that define every so-called “peace” deal.My take:Hostages go home, but justice doesn’t.These exchanges are not peace—they’re pauses. And every pause has a price. 🧠 gut checkSometimes, what’s framed as protection is really control.Sometimes, what’s called peace is really silence.And sometimes, what’s breaking news… is just the same story with new actors. 💡 funding & community notes Support The Record🗞️ on Venmo (@MarlenaGeller), Buy Me a Coffee, or through Fund the Record.Because truth-telling shouldn’t depend on ads—it should depend on us. 🎧 closing Thanks for listening.I’m Marlena, and this is the record🗞️.No filters. No sponsors. Just what’s real.See you tomorrow.Substack | Podcast | Daily News📲 IG: @marlenabeautydotcom | @redefiningtherecord✍️ Substack: Redefining the Record Fueling independent media that refuses to look away.✨ Tip Jar ✨Venmo: marlenageller | Buy Me a Coffee 🎙 Hosted by Marlena📍 Recorded in California—with one dog, zero filters, and no coffee (yet) ⛓️‍💥 Untangling broken systems, social media, and tech stacks.→ Now taking a few social media + strategy clients. Get full access to Redefining the Record at redefiningtherecord.substack.com/subscribe

7 min

This is your home base for all three shows under Redefining the Record— Off the Record: the original, weekly commentary The Record: daily news without the spin Voices 4 Change: bimonthly conversations with 2026 candidates redefiningtherecord.substack.com

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