The Great Purple State

To fight evil, you gotta name it: thoughts on fascism, resistance, and history's ghosts

In this episode, Conall and Emerson have yet another discussion about how to deal with rising fascism in the United States, and we both emphasize the importance of the simple power of naming things as they are. When we name evil and malice as such, we begin to be able to confront them. We also discuss what accountability and justice may look like in the face of the Trump administration's continued assault on democracy and decency. Conall also discusses the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s, and how by studying an example of where fascism triumphed against democracy, we can impart wisdom to the people of today about fascism's dangers.

Keep Hope Alive: Thoughts on hope, rage, and the state of things

In what may be their best pod yet, Conall and Emerson have a deep, heartfelt discussion on navigating a perilous moment in history, and how to cultivate hope when things feel deeply bleak. Conall offers his broad perspective on the state of democracy in America, a little over one year after Trump has been back in office, alongside his analysis of the scandalous revelations and redactions of the Epstein files by the Department of Justice. Emerson offers a deep perspective on what community and resistance looks like from the heart of Minneapolis amid its invasion by the Department of Homeland Security. Finally, Conall and Emerson pay tribute to the late civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, and repeat his message from nearly 40 years ago: keep hope alive.

"A Better World Is Possible": An interview with Samantha Harrington, climate journalist

In a far-reaching interview with the redoubtable climate journalist Samantha Harrington of Yale Climate Connections, Conall and Emerson talk with Sam about how climate change is transforming Wisconsin and other parts of the country, how the climate crisis is being successfully fought by Native American communities, along with the Trump administration's latest threats to FEMA and how this threatens disaster response across the US. We cover all of that and more in this hopeful, edifying interview with someone who is an expert in her field. Sam's author page at Yale Climate Connections: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/author/sam/  Please support Sam's life-saving and informative work by reading and sharing it with friends and family. Some of the articles referenced in the podcast are:  Sam's article about FEMA's struggles - https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/06/fema-is-unprepared-for-the-next-hurricane-katrina-disaster-experts-warn/ Sam's article about Wisconsin's tribal nations fighting climate change with great success - https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/06/by-paying-attention-tribes-in-the-northwoods-are-leading-the-way-on-climate-change/ Additional sources cited in the podcast:  WPR article on the new natural gas plants being built in Oak Creek and Paris: https://www.wpr.org/news/public-service-commission-approves-we-energies-plan-wisconsin-natural-gas-plants

Wisconsin’s message to the world: Don’t give up the ship

Conall and Emerson discuss the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election that saw Susan Crawford defeat Elon Musk’s millions in a landslide, alongside other recent events here and in America. We speak about hope, resistance, and the importance of not listening to those who would tell us that what we do doesn’t matter.

An interview with Christian Phelps, Wisconsin state representative

In The Great Purple State's first-ever interview, Conall and Emerson speak with Christian Phelps, a Wisconsin state representative for Assembly District 93 (Eau Claire and the rural areas around it). We cover a wide array of topics, from the Trump administration's illegal funding freeze's impact on farmers in western Wisconsin, our upcoming state Supreme Court race and Elon Musk's attempt to buy it, to the importance of education funding and public schools for all communities, regardless of their political lean. Vote for Susan Crawford and Jill Underly on or before Tuesday, April 1st!